Nets and Kyrie Irving join ADL in Joint Statement
In light of his controversial tweets promoting a film with anti-Semitic tropes, Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets joined the Anti-Defamation League in issuing a statement denouncing hatred, and racial and religious bias.
“I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted everyday.” Irving is quoted as saying in the joint statement. “I am aware of my post toward the Jewish community and I take responsibility. I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principals.”
Joint statement from Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Anti-Defamation League pic.twitter.com/5szamIClsh
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 2, 2022
The Nets and Irving will donate $500,000 to causes and organizations that fight discrimination, and will join the Anti-Defamation League to help develop educational programs to fight bias.
Irving and the Nets took plenty of public criticism over the past week due to the Tweets Irving shared about the movie “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” which harpoons the Jewish community with numerous false claims, as Rolling Stone described in their article over the weekend, “like claiming European Jews (often referred to as the Synagogue of Satan) wield outsized control over society, especially in industries like banking and the media.”
Initially Irving did not apologize, instead getting into a heated argument with a member of the media on Saturday. Irving did not speak to the press either Monday or Tuesday.
Kyrie Irving going back and forth with @NickFriedell during the Nets postgame presser 😳#NBATwitter #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/Mn2dSsirSN
— 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧' 𝐍𝐁𝐀 (@_Talkin_NBA) October 30, 2022
While Nets owner Joe Tsai condemned Irving’s tweets over the weekend, the Nets didn’t punish the All Star guard. The NBA also drew heavy criticism for not issuing a punishment.
On Tuesday, the Nets fired head coach Steve Nash, and have been linked to Ime Udoka as its next head coach — who is currently suspended by the Boston Celtics for an inappropriate relationship with a female staffer.
