Michael Jordan, Lewis Hamilton, Serena Williams ... The list of athletes is growing day by day to denounce the death of George Floyd after his arrest last Monday by the police in the United States. An event which reveals, according to them, the treatment of the black community in the country.

"We have had enough"

The latest reaction comes from the basketball world. Former NBA superstar Michael Jordan denounced in a press release "racism rooted" in his country, saying "deeply saddened, genuinely suffering and totally angry".

"We have had enough," wrote Michael Jordan, saying "alongside those who speak out against entrenched racism and violence against people of color in our country."

"We must continue peaceful expressions of injustice and demand recognition of responsibilities," he said, when he always refused to take a stand on social and political issues during his playing career.

"I know who you are and I see you"

For his part, the Briton Lewis Hamilton denounced the silence of the "biggest stars" of F1 "dominated by the Whites". "I know who you are and I see you," added the current circuit king to Instagram.

Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown drove him fifteen hours to take part in a peaceful demonstration in Atlanta, Georgia.

I will be peacefully protesting tommorow

- Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) May 30, 2020

Another NBA star, LeBron James reacted on Wednesday, as did Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who tweeted, "It's murder. Disgusting."

"Floyd was my brother"

The revolt was tinged with pain for former Warriors and San Antonio Spurs player Stephen Jackson, who knew the victim. "Floyd was my brother. We were called 'twins'. My brother was in Minnesota because he changed his life, he drove trucks (...) and you killed him. I'm on my way to Minnesota. Justice will be done, "he wrote on his Instagram account.

Stephen Jackson with powerful words for his “twin” George Floyd. 🙏

(via @JonKrawczynski) pic.twitter.com/oddaUzJ1Uw

- Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) May 29, 2020

Tennis player Serena Williams posted an Instagram video of an emotionally overwhelmed girl speaking at a public meeting: "We are blacks and we shouldn't have to feel like that. "

View this post on Instagram

I can't and still can't find the words to say or express how sad I feel .... but she found them for me. She found them for so many of us. A lot of us are numb ... lost for words ... I know I am. This is a difficult time. A lot of us growing up were taught to pray “Let thy kingdom come,” this is what I continue to pray for in addition to so many that have been hurt / killed, or simply traumatized by how people of a different color are treated. The worst part is this is nothing new, “it's just filmed.” I'm with a heavy heart. I'm lost for words. Video from @wealth

A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on May 30, 2020 at 1:51 pm PDT

His compatriot and tennis phenomenon Coco Gauff reacted in a video on the social network TikTok: "Am I next?"

Knee to the ground for Marcus Thuram

Three black Bundesliga players also paid homage to George Floyd this weekend on German soil.

But the most spectacular gesture remains that of Mönchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram. After setting a goal on Sunday May 31, the son of the French world champion Lilian Thuram knelt down, his gaze turned to the ground.

"No explanation needed", commented on his club on Twitter just after the match.

No explanation needed. pic.twitter.com/5JO1CCJexU

- Gladbach (@borussia_en) May 31, 2020

The gesture had been popularized by NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who had become a spokesperson for protests in the United States against police violence, especially against minorities of color.

Shortly after, young Dortmund striker Jadon Sancho (20) displayed a t-shirt with the inscription "Justice for George Floyd", also after scoring a goal. On Saturday, it was the American Weston McKennie of the Schalke 04 club, who wore an "Justice for George" armband.

"To be able to use this forum to draw attention to a problem that has been going on for too long, it feels good !!!", tweeted McKennie, 21, after the meeting.

With AFP

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