Cricket West Indies (CWI) has joined a number of international sport stakeholders calling for equality and justice following the police killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man killed in police custody in the United States of America.
“Cricket West Indies (CWI) stands together with the millions around the world in the battle against racism and the fight for equality and justice. We were all horrified as we witnessed the treatment and consequent death of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, this led to major protests around the world,” CWI via a release remarked.
It added: “We join our cricketers, other cricket stakeholders, all sportsmen, sportswomen and sports administrators, in speaking out against all forms of racism and inequality.
On Tuesday former West Indies skipper Darren Sammy called on the International Cricket Council to speak out against social injustice.
“@ICC and all the other boards are you guys not seeing what’s happening to ppl like me? Are you not gonna speak against the social injustice against my kind…” Sammy said in a series of emotional tweets.
“now is not the time to be silent. I wanna hear u,” the St Lucia all-rounder, who led West Indies to Twenty20 World Cup titles in 2012 and 2016, said.
The CWI release stated that the organization was standing alongside those seeking justice over Floyd’s death.
“We stand alongside all who are peacefully protesting and championing the cause. The people of the West Indies have fought many battles of our own, on and off the field. We have been blessed to witness the prowess, determination and leadership of our cricketing heroes who united the Caribbean and brought great success and pride to our people,” the CWI release stated.
CWI’s statement is in concert with FIFA, The National Football League, National Hockey League, National Basketball Association among others who have all voiced their concerns over Floyd’s unfortunate death and racial injustice which has ignited protests across the U.S.
The regional cricket body further pointed out that “sports has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire and unite people in a way that little else can.”
It also implored sporting icons and role models to lead the way in peacefully protesting and standing against the scourge of racism and injustice.
Thousands of persons in the U.S and around have expressed their anger via demonstrated and on social media following the death of African-American in police custody and the continued trend of social injustice.
Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Lebron James, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and a number of high profile soccer players have all called for an end to social injustice.
