NBA legend, Michael Jordan has issued a statement expressing his grief and outrage over the death of George Floyd, the black man who was killed by a white policeman in Minneapolis.
Floyd died last Monday in Minneapolis after white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for several minutes as he pleaded that he could not breathe, an incident that has triggered violent nationwide protests.
On Friday, Chauvin was charged Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter over Floyd’s death.
In the statement issued on Sunday night, Michael Jordan, a six-time NBA champion and owner of the Charlotte Hornets said he understands the outrage over Floyd’s death and admitted that he is deeply saddened and plain angry over the situation.
He also disclosed that he stands with those calling out the ‘ingrained racism and violence toward people of color’ in the US.
‘I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry,’ Jordan, an NBA Hall of Famer said. ‘I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage, and frustration.
“I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough.
“I don’t have the answers, but our collective voices show strength and the inability to be divided by others. 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.”
Statement from Michael Jordan:
