Sports stars across the United States have condemned the pro-Trump insurrection which stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday.- Four people died as a mob of armed demonstrators stormed the building in an attempt to disrupt Congress' certification of Joe Biden's victory in the presidential election.
- "Embarrassed but not surprised," tweeted gymnast Simone Biles.
- Former Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade said: "[Black people] can't walk down the street with our hoodies up without being killed but they can do this?"
Sports stars across the United States have condemned the pro-Donald Trump mob which stormed the US Capitol in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.
Four people died as a mob of armed pro-Trump demonstrators stormed the building in an attempt to disrupt Congress' certification of Joe Biden's victory in the presidential election.
Athletes from across the world of sports were among those to condemn the actions, and the president's response, sharing their views on social media.
"Embarrassed but not surprised," tweeted four-time Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Simone Biles. "Disgusted but not surprised, sad but not surprised, angry but not surprised, speechless but not surprised."
—Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) January 7, 2021
USWNT soccer star Megan Rapinoe, a vocal critic of Trump throughout his presidency, tweeted multiple times Wednesday about the insurrection, labeling the mob "domestic terrorists."
—Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) January 6, 2021
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry made reference to a tweet that Donald Trump shared in July 2020 during Black Lives Matter protests, in which he said "anarchists, agitators, or protestors who vandalize or damage" federal property will serve a "minimum 10 years in prison."
"There is literally a tweet for everything," said Curry. "Cat got your tongue today huh?"
—Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) January 6, 2021
Dwayne Wade, a three time NBA champion with the Miami Heat, remarked on the shootings of black people across America, including that of Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot dead by former county police officer Gregory McMichael and his son, Travis McMichael, while jogging through a neighborhood just outside of Brunswick, Georgia, in February.
"Black people get pulled over and don't make it out alive. We can't sleep in our own beds without being killed," said Wade.
"We can't jog without being killed. We can't walk down the street with our hoodies up without being killed but they can do this?"
—DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 6, 2021
Other sports stars to condemn the violence included New Orleans Pelicans head coach Stan Van Gundy, who described it as "domestic terrorism," and Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson, who said: "Today was acts of terrorism, and should be treated as such!"
In the NBA, players and coaches from the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics knelt during the national anthem prior to Wednesday night's game.
"2021 is a new year, but some things have not changed," read a joint statement from the two teams. "We play tonight's game with a heavy heart after yesterday's decision in Kenosha, and knowing that protesters in our nation's capital are treated differently by political leaders depending on what side of certain issues they are on.
"The drastic difference between the way protesters this past spring and summer were treated and the encouragement given to today's protestors who acted illegally just shows how much more work we have to do.
"We have decided to play tonight's game to try to bring joy into people's lives. But we must not forget the injustices in our society, and we will continue to use our voices and our platform to highlight these issues and do everything we can to work for a more equal and just America."
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