Athletes and teams across the globe have shown support for the Black Lives Matter movement by observing a blackout on social media in response to George Floyd’s death.
Floyd died in police custody last week and a video of his arrest – which has gone viral on social media showing a 44-year-old white officer, Derek Chauvin, subdued Floyd by placing his knee on his neck for a prolonged period until Floyd was rendered motionlessness.
The officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck, as Floyd pleaded “I can’t breathe”, has since been arrested and is facing murder and manslaughter charges.
Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man, died on 25 May after a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes. Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin has been sacked and charged with third-degree murder.
In the meantime, protests have swept across the world – sporting figures have added their voices in various ways too.
And on Tuesday, a number of athletes have shown solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter cause, sharing a simple, but striking message of protest, with a social media ‘blackout’.
‘Blackout Tuesday’ began as an initiative in the music industry, with record labels promising, “a day to disconnect from work and reconnect with our community”.
Black. Lives. Matter. #BlackOutTuesday ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/3nksUlTD9a
— Leroy Sané (@LeroySane19) June 2, 2020
Football clubs and sports associations have also joined the campaign.
✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 #BlackOutTuesday pic.twitter.com/lHzFcAzEdY
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) June 2, 2020
#BlackoutTuesday pic.twitter.com/d7AIWknPT3
— Leeds United (@LUFC) June 2, 2020
