The Brooklyn Nets have suspended Kyrie Irving for at least five games without pay for his antisemitic remarks.
The suspension came down on Thursday evening after the point guard refused to publicly apologize for his comments even after NBA commissioner Adam Silver demanded an apology.
The Brooklyn Nets released the following statement:
Over the last several days, we have made repeated attempts to work with Kyrie Irving to help him understand the harm and danger of his words and action, which began with him publicizing a film containing deeply disturbing antisemitic hate.
We believed that taking the path of education in this challenging situation would be the right one and thought that we had made progress with our joint commitment to eradicating hate and intolerance.
We were dismayed today when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity – but failed – to clarify.
Such failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization, and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team.
According, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.
We have decided that Kyrie will serve a suspension without pay until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct and the suspension period serves is no less than five games.
See the original statement below.
All of this began when Kyrie Irving tweeted a link to the 2018 movie, “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.”
The film is based on Ronald Dalton’s book of the same name and has been blasted as being antisemitic by civil rights groups.
Following the backlash, Kyrie took to Twitter writing:
I am an OMNIST and I meant no disrespect to anyone’s religious beliefs. The “Anti-Semitic” label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday.
I embrace and want to learn from all walks of life and religions.
The very next day, Kyrie Irving tweeted a special message for his mother.
Mom, thank you for naming me KYRIE. I am grateful you hid me from the world long enough until I was ready to overstand who I AM.
My roots and ancestors lead me back to AFRAKA and I am damn proud to overstand all of the KNOWLEDGE that was left behind for Application.
See his original tweets below.
Kyrie Irving is currently trending on Twitter as people react to the news of his suspension.
Read a few tweets below.
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