Attorney General Eric Holder had nothing but praise for the many NBA stars who’ve come out in recent days wearing “I Can’t Breathe” t-shirts, saying the political messaging serves the public well and shows “a depth” to the players that many didn’t expect.
It’s “a good thing” they wear them during pre-game warmups, Mr. Holder told the Chicago Sun-Times. “For them to get out there and to express in that way a social conscience, I think goes back to maybe people that these guys don’t even know or my son has a vague awareness of, to Jackie Robinson, who is seen as not only a great athlete but, as an involved, thinking, caring black man.”
Mr. Holder specifically referred to LeBron James and Derrick Rose, and praised their public shows of support for Eric Garner, the black suspect who was killed about an hour after he was placed in a chokehold by a New York police officer.
“To have LeBron, Derrick Rose and others who wore those ’I Can’t Breathe’ shirts, that shows a level of involvement,” Mr. Holder said, The Hill reported. “It shows a depth to them beyond just being great ballplayers.”
Mr. Holder has vowed a federal civil rights investigation will go forth in the Garner death, despite the fact a grand jury ruled no evidence existed to charge officer Daniel Pantaleo with any crime.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.