‘Racism is out of control, it’s the real pandemic’
LONDON: Heavyweight boxing world champion Anthony Joshua described racism as a “pandemic” while addressing protesters at a Black Lives Matter march in London on Saturday. He joined a march through the streets of his home town Watford before gathering in a park where he recited a poem written by a friend.
“The virus has been declared a pandemic,” the WBA, IBF and WBO title-holder said. “This is out of control. And I’m not talking about Covid-19. The virus I’m talking about is called racism.”
Marches and protests have been held worldwide in response to the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd by a white police officer in the US on May 25. Four officers involved have been charged over the death.
West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite too was part of the protest in London and posted photos of him alongside English footballer Adebayo Akinfenwa.
Joshua, 30, whose world heavyweight title defence against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev scheduled for this month has been postponed due to the pandemic, was dressed in black. “We can no longer sit back and remain silent on these senseless, unlawful killings and sly racism on another human being—based on what?
Only their skin colour,” added Joshua, who was using crutches and wearing a knee brace as precaution after injuring his knee in training a few days earlier.
“We need to speak out in peaceful demonstrations — just like today... We must not use a demonstration for selfish motives and turn it into rioting and looting.”
Borussia Dortmund and Hertha Berlin players went down on one knee ahead of their Bundesliga game on Saturday in tribute to Floyd. The teams, including the coaches and staff, gathered around the centre circle and knelt ahead of their league game in Dortmund. DFB, the German association, has ruled that players are free to show their support for the protests. Several players last week lifted their shirts to show messages demanding justice for Floyd.
National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell said the league made a mistake in not listening to players, in a video on Friday denouncing racism in the US. “We, the NFL, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest,” said Goodell. “We, the National Football League, believe black lives matter.”