Share
The Las Vegas Raiders got angry backlash for a tweet the team sent after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd.
The tweet sent by the team’s official account on Tuesday said “I CAN BREATHE 4-20-21.” Floyd told officers “I can’t breathe” more than 20 times before he was killed when Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck last May.
Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter on Tuesday for causing Floyd’s death.
Owner says the Statement Taken from Floyd’s Brother
Raiders owner Mark Davis said he was driving when the verdict was announced and heard Floyd’s brother, Philonise, make the statement that “we can all breathe again” and decided to make that message the team’s response.
“I thought that said a lot,” Davis said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. “It said a lot about everything. I thought it was something where we could all breathe again. Justice was served. We still have a lot of work to do on social justice and police brutality. But today, justice was served.”
The tweet was widely condemned in replies on Twitter but remained pinned to the top of the team’s Twitter account more than two hours after being posted.
“It was taken negatively by 99% of the people,” Davis said. “That happens. That’s part of social media.”
Davis Apologizes but Won’t Take Down Post
Davis said he won’t delete the tweet because it is already out there but is sorry if it offended anyone in Floyd’s family.
He said he also didn’t know that the phrase “I can breathe” was used by supporters of police in New York after the death of Eric Garner in 2014 and that he wouldn’t have used that phrase if he knew the history.
“It’s a tough situation,” he said. “I feel bad it was taken in a way it wasn’t meant to be done. That can only be my fault for not explaining it.”
RELATED TOPICS:
Trump Temporarily Halts Leasing and Permitting for Wind Energy Projects
7 hours ago
Fresno Man Who Dealt Deadly Fentanyl Pill Gets 80-Month Prison Term
7 hours ago
What’s Next for EVs as Trump Moves to Revoke Biden-Era Incentives?
8 hours ago
Visalia Police Find Man Shot Near Shopping Center. Tips Sought.
8 hours ago
Convicted Jan. 6 Rioter Benjamin Martin Still Going to Prison
9 hours ago
Is Lawsuit on Planned Reedley Job Center a ‘Shakedown’?
9 hours ago
CA Sued the Tar Out of Trump the First Time Around. How Did It Do?
11 hours ago
Trump Administration Directs All Federal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Staff Be Put on Leave