The rally in Charlottesville by many white nationalists carrying tiki torches and Nazi paraphernalia over the weekend has been the biggest topic of conversation nationally since Friday night. One person died and many others have been injured during the rally. A state of emergency was declared in Virginia, and many are speaking out against what’s happening. That even includes many figures in sports.
LeBron James sent a few tweets on Saturday expressing his disappointment with President Donald Trump’s leadership in light of the rally:
It's sad what's going on in Charlottesville. Is this the direction our country is heading? Make America Great Again huh?! He said tha
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 12, 2017
Our youth deserves better!! Flat out
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 12, 2017
NBA player Enes Kanter, who is from Turkey and whose family has dealt with government corruption, sent these tweets about those not protesting the Nazi symbols from the rally:
Your silence normalizes nazis.
Doesn't it also makes you one ??#Charlottesville
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) August 12, 2017
America only needs one torch
It's bigger and brighter than yours#Charlottesville pic.twitter.com/yDusNqFphW— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) August 12, 2017
NBA player Jeremy Lin, an Asian-American, said the affairs were making him “sick.”
#Charlottesville makes me sick…what world are we living in rn?!?
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) August 12, 2017
Eagles DL Chris Long, who grew up in Virginia and went to college at the University of Virginia, offered this:
Chris Long, who's from Charlottesville and went to UVa., feels a responsibility to speak up about what's happening there. Here's why: pic.twitter.com/9vHFk6zjEp
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) August 13, 2017
Ravens safety Eric Weddle:
The hate in this country is heartbreaking. We are all sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. 1 day I hope we live with love and respect
— Eric Weddle (@weddlesbeard) August 12, 2017
The Detroit Red Wings sent a statement condemning the rally, especially after learning that their logo was being used in association with the white nationalists.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 12, 2017
The most moving words of all came from Washington Nationals reliever Sean Doolittle, who attended the University of Virginia — the site of the rally. He sent multiple tweets, including these:
It's 2017. Actual Nazis just marched on #Charlottesville. We have to come together & drive this hatred & domestic terrorism from our country
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) August 13, 2017
While it's important to protect free speech, we have a patriotic obligation to condemn racism and domestic terrorism by white supremacists.
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) August 13, 2017
