100 voices: Cricketers and athletes speak up about Black Lives Matter!

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Image Courtesy: PTI/AP/Getty/Shutterstock

Its not the novel Coronavirus pandemic. Its not the slow resumption of sporting activities. The news that has been making the headlines, and has concerned the global citizens, is the unrest across the United States of America. The murder of George Floyd last week has started protests against racism and police brutality in the country, which has now achieved a global support. Many cricketers, athletes and clubs all over the world are taking to social media to stand up in support of the Black Lives Matter protest.

Image Courtesy: PTI/AP/Getty/Shutterstock

Sportspersons have always spoken against racism inequality and injustice, even now, Twitter and Instagram fills with their posts promoting equality, and in solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement that is taking place all across USA.

George Floyd was murdered on 25th May in Minneapolis by Derek Chauvin, a police officer who worked for the Minneapolis Police Department. The officer, who has now been fired and charged with third degree murder and man slaughter, pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck, who was handcuffed and lying on the street. Post mortem has revealed asphyxia as the cause of death.

The video footages recorded by bystanders show Floyd’ pleading ‘I can’t breathe’ to Chauvin, the phrase which has taken the forefront on the protests against racial injustice.

The Black Lives Matter movement started back in 2013 with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter or #BLM on social media, and has been a driving force to protest against the xenophobic attacks on African-Americans, police brutality, racial profiling and inequality in the country’s justice system.

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Black lives matter! #blackoutTuesdays

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Black lives matter !!!! #blackouttuesday

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😔

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#blackouttuesday

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#blackouttuesday

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#blacklivesmatter #blackouttuesday !

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Black Lives Matter #blackouttuesday

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Listening and learning. Black Lives Matter

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#blackouttuesday

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#blackouttuesday

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#blackouttuesday

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#BlackOutTuesday ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

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#blackouttuesday

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#blackouttuesday

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Black Lives Matter 🖤 #BlackOutTuesday

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#BlackOutTuesday

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I have been collecting my thoughts for the past few days in order to eloquently describe my feelings on the tragic and unnecessary death of George Floyd. It would have been far too easy to write with emotion, hatred and vitriolic sentiment in the immediate aftermath. Although those feelings are still present, I will give it a try. Why is this still happening in 2020? Why do the same racists applaud any ethnic minority who plays for the team they support but abuse the same minorities on the street? Why are all the methods we are using to eradicate this from our society not working? It’s gone on for too long and we have come too far for this to be tolerated in modern society. I do not advocate violence, looting or destruction of property, as this will not solve any problems and many racially afflicted individuals are victims themselves of this behaviour. Why should the people be punished who have the same struggles, turmoil and racial abuse? The people who have worked their entire lives to feed their families and then have the fruits of the labour destroyed in protests against the issues they are suffering themselves? This is not the answer. However, we do urgently NEED change, we DEMAND change and most importantly, we DESERVE change. Make it happen, NOW. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

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Black Lives Matter. #BlackoutTuesday

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#blackouttuesday ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

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Unity is strength #BlackLivesMatter

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✊✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 #blackouttuesday

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#blackouttuesday 🖤

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✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

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#BlackOutTuesday 🤎 link in bio

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✊🏿

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STILL!!!! 🤬😢😤

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#blackouttuesday

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