Las Vegas raiders are facing adverse reactions to a tweet following the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial. The former police officer was convicted of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree murder in George Floyd’s death.
Shortly after the verdict was read, the Raiders posted on Twitter the words “I can breathe”, followed by the date. The post immediately met with criticism, with many saying it was insensitive. Floyd, 46, was heard saying “I can’t breathe,” while Chauvin knelt on his neck on May 25, 2020, for more than nine minutes, eventually killing him.
The team’s owner, Mark Davis, took responsibility for the tweet and told CBS affiliate KLAS that he was inspired by Floyd’s brother, Philonise, who said something similar on Tuesday. “Today we are able to breathe again, because justice for George means freedom for all,” Philonise said.
Davis told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he would apologize only if he thought the Floyd family was offended. “I think justice has been done,” Davis said. “It’s rare that I make statements about something, and if I thought it offended my family (Floyd), I’d feel really bad and apologize. Other than that, I don’t apologize. I listened to Philonise, this is a day we can all breathe. “
In a statement on Wednesday, Philonise extended her family’s “deepest gratitude” to the Raiders for her support of her family and “the pursuit of justice and equality for all.”
“Now, more than ever, we must unite and continue this struggle. For the first time in almost a year, our family took a deep breath. I know it’s true for so many people across the nation and around the globe. Let’s do it for George, “the statement said.
The phrase “I can’t breathe” was also used as a protest cry in the aftermath of Eric Garner’s death from a suffocation by a New York City police officer in 2014. “I can breathe” was used as a slogan for pro-police demonstrations at the time.
In response to the Raiders’ tweet, LeBron James, former NBA player Jason Collins and others expressed great dissatisfaction.
The NFL faced similar reactions on Tuesday, after issuing a statement that many consider deaf because of the treatment in the league of players who protested against police violence.
Colin Kaepernick, who first led knee-deep protests during the 2016 national anthem to draw attention to police brutality and racial injustice, remains unsigned despite a record that included a Super Bowl appearance with the San Francisco 49ers. In a statement last year, Kaepernick called on the NFL for the safety of “denial” Eric Reid, who joined Kaepernick to protest police violence, but has not yet been signed by any team.