01-06-20, 20:51
|
#8
|
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 47,688
Thanks: 27,647
Thanked 14,458 Times in 10,262 Posts
|
Lewis Hamilton Slams F1 & Celebrities Silence Over George Floyd Death
Lewis Hamilton Slams Silence Over George Floyd Death
Hamilton's Attack on White-Dominated F1 Draws Support From Rivals
Lewis Hamilton, Formula One's first black world champion, spends much of his time in America and spoke out on George Floyd's tragic death on Sunday night
Daily Mirror UK, 1 JUN 2020
London (AFP) - SIX Times World champion Lewis Hamilton drew a rapid positive response from many of his rivals after accusing the "biggest of stars" in "white-dominated" Formula One of failing to speak out against racism.
The Mercedes driver warned: "I know who you are and I see you" as he accused his fellow drivers of "staying silent" following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, during his arrest in Minneapolis.
The videotaped incident has triggered unrest in several cities and led to an outpouring of condemnation from figures including Michael Jordan and Serena Williams.
"I see those of you who are staying silent, some of you the biggest of stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice," Hamilton wrote on Instagram.
"I would have thought by now you would see why this happens and say something about it but you can't stand alongside us. Just know I know who you are and I see you."
Hamilton's team responded with a statement of support.
"We stand with you Lewis," Mercedes posted on Instagram. "Tolerance is an elementary principle of our team."
Several drivers also reacted, some addressing Hamilton, others finding their voice about Floyd.
"To be completely honest, I felt out of place and uncomfortable sharing my thoughts on social media," tweeted Charles Leclerc, a 22-year old Monegasque who drives for Ferrari. "And I was completely wrong."
- Stand together -
Leclerc drew a response from Williams driver George Russell.
"We all have a voice to speak up for what's right – and until now I didn't know how to use mine in this situation. To echo @charles_leclerc's words, I just felt out of place sharing my thoughts on these atrocities publicly," wrote the 22-year-old Briton.
Alex Albon, a 24-year old British driver with Thai roots, also said he had felt uncomfortable speaking out.
"Truthfully I have been quite hesitant having a voice around George Floyd's death. I grew up in a very privileged way, shielded from racism," the Red Bull driver wrote. "It's never too late to change and to address what's wrong, this is about justice and to stand up for racial equality."
Hamilton's call for stars to speak out seemed to strike a chord with Lando Norris.
"I have fans and followers," the 20-year-old Briton who drives for McLaren wrote. "I have power through this to lead and inspire so many. But we also stand for what's right."
Nicholas Latifi, a 24-year-old Canadian of Iranian origin who drives for Williams, posted "This has to stop" with a link to a petition and JusticeforGeorge and BlackLivesMatter hashtags.
Two 30-year-old veterans Australian Daniel Ricciardo and Mexican Sergio Perez did not refer to Hamilton in their posts.
"What happened to George Floyd and what continues to happen in today's society is a disgrace," said the Red Bull driver.
The Racing Point man tweeted a video of a non-violent American sheriff and added the Blacklivesmatter hashtag.
Carlos Sainz, the 25-year-old Spanish McLaren driver and Antonio Giovinazzi, a 26-year-old Italian who dives for Alfa Romeo, also condemned racism.
In a second post, Hamilton added: "I do not stand with those looting and burning buildings but those who are protesting peacefully. There can be no peace until our so called leaders make change."
Soon after Hamilton's social media posts, several F1 drivers took to their accounts to call for unity against racism.
Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo, who will cross to McLaren at the end of the season, said Floyd's death was "a disgrace".
US LOOTERS & Violent Protesters LEARN > Respect & Silence in Memory of George Floyd’s Death;
George Floyd Protesters Surround the US Embassy in London -
REMEMBER > THE SONYA IVANOFF LAW 2007;
The law mandates a sentence of 99 years to any officer who murders someone while on duty.
|
|
|