Anthony Joshua Participates In a Black Lives Matter Rally For Social Justice
In his hometown of Watford, England, WBA/IBF/WBO World Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua took part in a Black Lives Matter protest which was organized following the May 25 death of American George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The 30-year-old marched along with peaceful protestors through the streets of his hometown of Watford before convening at a local park where local citizens and community organizers spoke.
JOSHUA SPEAKING FROM THE HEART
At one point, the unified world heavyweight champion took the mic. Making it clear the killing of George Floyd was the catalyst for the protest, Joshua gave a passionate speech with his view on what must be done from this point forward as a collective community.
“We can no longer, from today onward be proud; we can no longer remain silent on the senseless unlawful killing, sly racism of another human being based only on what? Their skin color?
We need to speak out in peaceful demonstrations just like today. So well done Watford, inject the vaccine.
We must not use the demonstration for selfish motives and turn it into rioting and looting. We need to be united in non-violent demonstrations. Show them where it hurts, abstain from spending your money in their shops and economies, and invest in black-owned businesses.
And that’s for all communities. If you want to uplift yourselves, invest in your businesses. We have to engage with the youth – I completely agree with that – and put an end to black youth gang culture.
I’m gonna be real with you about gang culture. I’m down to riot 100 percent but what you have to realize – it’s done. It is done, trust me.
Unless you wanna be sitting in jail, spending years upon years of your only life that you have thought about ‘yeah, they can lock the locks, but they can’t stop the clocks’. That’s all done because there’s too many cameras, too much intelligence.
All the OGs that I know are telling me ‘bro it’s finished, it’s finished’. Gang life is finished and that’s what we’re saying.
I know that I’m promoting no gangster business. I’m a legit, straight forward hustler – that’s just in my DNA and in my blood.
But I know I’ve taken my street knowledge and put it into the corporate world and I’ve gained a lot of respect in that sense. So anyway, gang culture is done.
We have to engage with the youth and put an end to black youth gang culture. This postcode war – how many houses do we own on that postcode that we’re fighting for?
Let’s inject the vaccine. Every life matters – 100 percent I agree with that. But that does include black lives and that’s why we’re here today.
George Floyd – we’re all aware of his name – was the catalyst in a list that is already way, way, way too long”.
INJURY CONCERNS?
During the rally, the 30-year-old was wearing a protective brace on his left leg. A spokesman for the champ explained that Joshua felt some discomfort in his left knee while training. Therefore, the brace is a precautionary measure on the advice of his physio.
There will be a further examination by his doctors, but there is no cause for serious concern. Also, this will have no impact on his upcoming bout against Kubrat Pulev later this year.
The circumstances surrounding the killing of George Floyd has sparked outrage and protests not only in the United States, but across the globe.
Fighters such as former WBC Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, current WBC/IBF Welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr, former unified heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and a litany of boxers have used their various platforms and shown solidarity to speak out against racism and for social justice. Joshua’s actions and his words are a continuation of what the boxing community is doing in the aftermath of Floyd’s death.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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