World heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has joined the global #BlackLivesMatter protest, while also insisting that demonstrations about the rights of blacks globally should not be for selfish reasons. The world in the past few weeks have been greeted with series of protests on and off social media, condemning maltreatment meted out against blacks. Sports celebrities have lent their voices to the campaign, just as Joshua did on Saturday, June 6, 2020. Though the Nigerian-born British boxer had to support himself with crutches due to an injury, he walked the streets in company of co-protesters before going on to speak at the event.
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We can no longer sit back and remain silent on these senseless, unlawful killings and sly racism on another human being – based on what? Only their skin colour. We need to speak out in peaceful demonstrations – just like today, so well done Watford. We must not use a demonstration for selfish motives and turn it into rioting and looting.
Anthony Joshua
Joshua who appeared for the protest in an all black costume, including a black leader glove and a Black Lives Matter T-shirt, described racism as a pandemic and urged the world to stand united against it mindless of one’s race or skin colour.
The virus has been declared a pandemic. This is out of control. And I’m not talking about COVID-19. The virus I’m talking about is called racism. We stand united against a virus which has been instrumental in taking lives of the young, old, rich, poor; a virus which is unapologetic and spreads across all sectors
Joshua
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It will be recalled that the worldwide protest was provoked by the brutal killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, who knelt on his neck while pinning him to the ground. George pleaded for mercy saying the words, ”I can’t breathe,” which has turned out to be a major theme for the protests. Sports men and women, especially football players and clubs have shown public support for the movement by taking a knee in training sessions or matches.
Source:
Premium Times
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