A violent crowd of supporters of President Donald Trump invaded the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, forcing Congress to close its doors as it prepared to assert victory for President-elect Joe Biden in the 2020 elections. At least one person was shot and died during the riot.
When the riot video came out, the athletes – many of whom spoke out against racial and social injustice in 2020 – condemned the crowd’s violent behavior.
Many criticized Trump for inciting the riot. Others – like Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers – questioned how the situation would have been handled if a group of black individuals had attempted to invade the Capitol.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry echoed that sentiment, pointing to the rhetoric Trump used against those protesting racial and social injustice in July.
embarrassed 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
Blacks are stopped and cannot get out alive. We cannot sleep in our own beds without being killed. We cannot run without being killed. We can’t walk on the street with our sweatshirts up without being killed, but can they do that ??? https://t.co/j59OMKw4LO
– DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 6, 2021
Watching CNN and it doesn’t even seem real
– A’ja Wilson (@ _ajawilson22) January 6, 2021
And did you think “Taking A Knee” was too much!?!
– NAACP (@NAACP) January 6, 2021
I never thought that Americans would let terrorists into the capital without a fight …. sad day
– Richard Sherman (@ RSherman_25) January 6, 2021
Today there were acts of terrorism, and it must be treated as such!
– Allen Robinson II (@AllenRobinson) January 6, 2021
The same people who didn’t want us kneeling … nvm. 🤦🏾♂️
– Davante Adams (@ tae15adams) January 6, 2021
Now I’m seeing guys breaking windows on the Capitol and breaking into the building. EVERYONE needs to stand together against this. Now they said a woman was shot in the chest on Capitol Hill. STOP NOW!
– Stan Van Gundy (@realStanVG) January 6, 2021
Now you know that if a crowd of black people got together and did it on a playground, let alone the capitol, it would be a wrap for every person on the other side of law enforcement!
– Matt Forte (@ MattForte22) January 6, 2021
America showing its ass today. Only in this country can whites invade a capital and nobody get hurt, but my black ass can walk down the street and be killed. America’s media work well done.
– Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) January 6, 2021
This is America … they really invaded the Capitol in an attempt to … coup!?
– Randall Cobb (@ rcobb18) January 6, 2021
The difference in treatment between races in America is on full display
– Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 6, 2021
We wouldn’t even have done it on the street !!!! 🤯🤯🤯🤯
– Jarvis Juice Landry (@ God_Son80) January 6, 2021
You would have bombed the capital without a second thought if you were black. You are wild.
– Devereaux * casual fan * Peters (@ MsPeters14) January 6, 2021
Our heads would be busted already … This is crazy
– Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) January 6, 2021
I am amazed at what is happening in our country. But, honestly, it’s been going on forever; it is simply evident now. What is the excuse for this?
– Galpão Long Jr. (@ SLONG895) January 6, 2021
An absolute disgrace for what is happening at the United States Capitol right now. It is a striking example of inequality in how the police choose to deal with those involved. 🗑🗑🗑
– Kevin Love (@kevinlove) January 6, 2021
This is shameful. All the countries in the world watching this laugh at how we parted. We must be the model for democracy. Absolutely embarrassing. WE must be better.
– Marco Gonzales (@MarcoGonzales_) January 6, 2021
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