The Charlotte Hornets joined the “I Can’t Breathe” movement sparked by the non-indictment of the NYC police officer who killed Eric Garner. Ever member of the team wore the shirt bearing Garner’s last words, which has become synonymous with the call for social and civil justice in America.
Kemba Walker in the "I can't breathe" t-shirt. All Hornets wearing them In warm-ups. pic.twitter.com/EYMuSGzHyv
— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) December 13, 2014
And the Charlotte Hornets have joined the movement #ICantBreathe pic.twitter.com/QDlKwE1fH7
— SportsFromMyEyes (@JTyree704) December 13, 2014
While many will embrace the team’s right to the freedom of speech and applaud the players for making the statement they feel needed to be made, others say they will never support the team again.
Lots of people told me they will never support the Hornets again because players wore 5 minutes of "I Can't Breathe" T-shirts.
— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) December 14, 2014
I commend the Hornets, like I have every other professional athlete who has shown support of a cause that hits home for a lot of Americans. And to those fans that say they will never support the team again? Good riddance to bad rubbish.
