A violent crowd of supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, forcing Congress to shut down as it prepared to confirm President Joe Biden’s election in the 2020 election. At least one person was shot dead during the riot.
When video of the riot surfaced, athletes – many of whom spoke out against racial and social injustice in 2020 – condemned the mob’s violent behavior.
Many criticized Trump for inciting the riot. Others, such as Doc Rivers, head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, questioned how the situation would be handled if a group of black individuals wanted to storm the Capitol.
Stephen Curry, guard for Golden State Warriors, reflected the sentiment and pointed to the rhetoric Trump used against those who protested against racial and social injustice in July.
ashamed but not surprised
disgusting but not surprised
sad but not surprised
angry but not surprised
speechless but not surprised– Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) 7 January 2021
Black people are drawn and do not make it alive. We cannot sleep in our own beds without being killed. We cannot jog without being killed. We can not walk down the street with our hoodies without being killed, but can they do it ??? https://t.co/j59OMKw4LO
– DWade (@DwyaneWade) 6 January 2021
To watch CNN and it does not even look real
– A’ja Wilson (@ _ajawilson22) 6 January 2021
And you thought “take a knee” is too much!?!
– NAACP (@NAACP) 6 January 2021
Never thought Americans would enter the capital without terrorists without a fight …. sad day
– Richard Sherman (@ RSherman_25) 6 January 2021
Today was acts of terrorism, and it must be treated that way!
– Allen Robinson II (@AllenRobinson) 6 January 2021
The same people we did not want to kneel … nvm. 🤦🏾♂️
– Davante Adams (@ tae15adams) 6 January 2021
Now I watch guys break into the Capitol and break into the building. EVERYONE must stand united against this. Now they said a woman was shot in the chest at the Capitol site. STOP IT NOW!
– Stan Van Gundy (@realStanVG) 6 January 2021
Now you know if a crowd of black people gather and do it at a playground, let alone the capital, it will be a refuge for every person on the other side of law enforcement!
– Matt Forte (@ MattForte22) 6 January 2021
America shows their ass 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 be killed. American media work well done.
– Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) 6 January 2021
This is America … did they really just storm the Capitol in an attempt ..group !?
– Randall Cobb (@ rcobb18) 6 January 2021
The difference in treatment between races in America is fully shown
– Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) 6 January 2021
We would not have even made it in the street !!!! 🤯🤯🤯🤯
– Jarvis Juice Landry (@ God_Son80) 6 January 2021
You would have bombed the capital without thinking the second time if it was black people. You guys are wild.
– Devereaux * comfortable fan * Peters (@ MsPeters14) 6 January 2021
Our heads would have turned off already …. It’s crazy
– Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) 6 January 2021
I am appalled at what is going on in our country. But honestly, that’s what’s going on forever; it’s just blatant now. What’s the excuse for this one?
– Shed Long Jr. (@ SLONG895) 6 January 2021
An absolute disgrace now happening at the American Capitol. And a blatant example of inequality in how law enforcement chooses to deal with those involved. 🗑🗑🗑
– Kevin Love (@kevinlove) 6 January 2021
This is shameful. Every country in the world looks at this laughing at how we tore each other apart. We are supposed to be the model for democracy. Absolute embarrassment. WE need to be better.
– Marco Gonzales (@MarcoGonzales_) 6 January 2021
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