US President Donald Trump has slammed the protests in the NBA, which has seen many players take a stand.
According to him, the NBA is becoming a “political organisation” while claiming “people are a little tired of the NBA, frankly.”
Trump is not new to criticising such gestures, having previously castigated NFL players for taking the knee during the national anthem.
The NBA and other sports in the United States have been suspended following protests by players over the shooting of Jacob Blake.
No, I want Big Ten, and all other football, back – NOW. The Dems don’t want football back, for political reasons, but are trying to blame me and the Republicans. Another LIE, but this is what we are up against! They should also open up all of their Shutdown States.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 28, 2020
Blake, an African-American, was shot seven times in the back by a police officer in Kenosha as he opened the door of his car.
The victim is currently in critical condition and the incident has once again sparked conversations about racial injustice and police brutality against black people.
On Wednesday, the NBA playoffs were postponed after several players protested the shooting incident.
Meanwhilw, Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green had this to say: “The notion that athletes should just stop working but no one else in the world should stop is baffling to me.”
“Why stop doing the very thing that offers you the biggest platform to speak for those that look like me/a lot of us?”
As he vows "law and order," President Trump remains silent on Jacob Blake shooting https://t.co/XTJtYXa5c7 pic.twitter.com/kZOFBhgKcG
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 27, 2020
“To do that is to actually give up the platform to speak for them, because without us using our platforms which is afforded by the influence of the sport, it actually stops us from echoing what those in the back are saying.”
