A violent mob of supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol on Wednesday, forcing Congress to shut down as it prepared to confirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election. At least one person was shot and died in the riot.
When the video of the riot came to the fore, athletes – many of whom turned against racial and social injustice in 2020 – condemned the mob’s violent behavior.
Many criticized Trump for inciting the riot. Others – like Philadelphia head coach Doc Rivers76 – wondered how the situation would have been handled if a group of black individuals tried to storm the Capitol.
Golden State Warriors security guard Stephen Curry echoed that sentiment, pointing out the rhetoric Trump used in July against those protesting racial and social injustice.
ashamed but not surprised
disgusted but not surprised
sad but not surprised
angry but not surprised
speechless but not surprised– Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) January 7, 2021
Black people are arrested and will not come out alive. We cannot sleep in our own bed without being killed. We cannot jog without being killed. We can’t walk down the street wearing our hoodies without getting killed, but they can do this ??? https://t.co/j59OMKw4LO
– DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 6, 2021
Watch CNN and this doesn’t even seem real
– A’ja Wilson (@ _ajawilson22) January 6, 2021
And you thought “taking a knee” was too much!?!
– NAACP (@NAACP) January 6, 2021
Never thought Americans would let terrorists into the capital without a fight … sad day
– Richard Sherman (@ RSherman_25) January 6, 2021
They were terrorist acts today and should be treated as such!
– Allen Robinson II (@AllenRobinson) January 6, 2021
The same people who didn’t want us to kneel … nvm. 🤦🏾♂️
– Davante Adams (@ tae15adams) January 6, 2021
Now I watch guys break windows in the Capitol and break into the building. EVERYONE must be united against this. Now they said a woman had been shot in the chest on Capitol grounds. STOP THIS NOW!
– Stan Van Gundy (@realStanVG) January 6, 2021
Now you all know that if a crowd of black people gathered and did this to a playground, let alone the capital, it would be a turnaround for every person on the other side of law enforcement!
– Matt Forte (@ MattForte22) January 6, 2021
America is showing them today. Only in this country can white people storm a capital and no one gets hurt, but my black ass can walk down the street and get killed. America media job done right.
– Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) January 6, 2021
This is America … did they actually just storm the Capitol in an attempt ..group !?
– Randall Cobb (@ rcobb18) January 6, 2021
The difference in treatment between races in America is fully visible
– Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 6, 2021
We wouldn’t even have made it on the street !!!! 🤯🤯🤯🤯
– Jarvis Juice Landry (@ God_Son80) January 6, 2021
You would have bombed the capital without a second thought if these were black people. You are wild.
– Devereaux * casual fan * Peters (@ MsPeters14) January 6, 2021
Our heads would have been blown off already … This is crazy
– Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) January 6, 2021
I am amazed at what is happening in our country. But honestly, it’s what’s always going on; it’s just blatant now. What’s the excuse for this?
– Shed Long Jr. (@ SLONG895) January 6, 2021
An absolute shame what is happening in the Capitol now. And a blatant example of inequality in the way law enforcement officials choose to deal with those involved. 🗑🗑🗑
– Kevin Love (@kevinlove) January 6, 2021
This is a shame. Every country in the world looks at it and laughs at how we have pulled each other apart. We are supposed to be the model for democracy. Absolutely embarrassing. WE must be better.
– Marco Gonzales (@MarcoGonzales_) January 6, 2021
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