Metro (UK)

Society is more divided than ever, says Marcus

- By JUSTIN PALMER

MARCUS RASHFORD feels society is ‘more divided than ever’ in a powerful anti-racism message sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapoli­s.

Floyd died last Monday after a white police officer held him down by pressing a knee into his neck and sports stars have joined in the widespread condemnati­on.

Manchester United and England forward Rashford posted on Twitter: ‘I know you guys haven’t heard from me in a few days. I’ve been trying to process what is going on in the world.

‘At a time I’ve been asking people to come together, work together and be united, we appear to me more divided than ever. People are hurting and people need answers.

Black lives matter. Black culture matters. Black communitie­s matter. We matter.’

Rashford has followed his England team-mate Jadon Sancho in

I’ve been trying to process what is going on in the world

addressing the issue after the Borussia Dortmund winger said, ‘we shouldn’t fear speaking out for what’s right’.

‘Justice for George Floyd’ was written on the T-shirt revealed by the Borussia

Dortmund winger after scoring the first of what proved to be his maiden senior hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Paderborn.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc also gave his opinion after Formula One hero Lewis Hamilton appeared to criticise those in his industry who had chosen not to speak out. Britain’s five-time world champion and Mercedes star Hamilton (left) wrote on Instagram: ‘I’m one of the only people of colour (in F1) and yet I stand alone’. Leclerc responded by tweeting: ‘To be completely honest, I felt out of place and uncomforta­ble sharing my thoughts on social media about the whole situation and this is why I haven’t express myself earlier than today. And I was completely wrong.

‘Please be actively participat­ing, engaging and encouragin­g others to spread awareness. It is our responsibi­lities to speak out against injustice. Don’t be silent. I stand #BlackLives­Matters.’

Former England captain David Beckham posted on Instagram: ‘My heart goes out to George’s family and I stand in solidarity with the black community and millions of others across the world who are outraged by these events.

‘It’s heartbreak­ing to see that in 2020 this is still happening.’

 ?? PICTURE: GETTY ?? Face of concern: Rashford
PICTURE: GETTY Face of concern: Rashford
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom