Charlotte Hornets owner and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan just joined a growing list of high profiled athletes, coaches, and executives who have expressed their grief and outrage over the death of George Floyd.
“I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry,” Jordan said in a statement Sunday. “… I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough.”
Floyd was seen on video with Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin placing a knee on his neck for more than eight minutes. Floyd’s death has sparked protests in cities across the United States.
“I don’t have the answers, but our collective voices show strength and the inability to be divided by others,” Jordan said. “We must listen to each other, show compassion and empathy and never turn our backs on senseless brutality. We need to continue peaceful expressions against injustice and demand accountability. Our unified voice needs to put pressure on our leaders to change our laws, or else we need to use our vote to create systemic change. Every one of us needs to be part of the solution, and we must work together to ensure justice for all.”
“My heart goes out to the family of George Floyd and to the countless others whose lives have been brutally and senselessly taken through acts of racism and injustice.”
The officer seen pressing his knee against Floyd’s neck has since been arrested and faced third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges.
