Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling supports anti-racism protests

Sterling said that just like the COVID-19 pandemic, racism also needs a solution

raheem-sterling-manchester-city [File] England and Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling | Reuters

England football star Raheem Sterling has extended his support to the anti-racism protests in Britain, triggered by the unrest in the United States after the killing of African American George Floyd. The Manchester City forward said that just like the COVID-19 pandemic, racism also needs a solution.

“The only disease right now is the racism that we are fighting,” Sterling said in an interview to the BBC. “Just like the pandemic, we want to find a solution to stop it.

“At the same time, this is what all these protesters are doing. They are trying to find a solution and a way to stop the injustice they are seeing and they are fighting for their cause,” he was quoted by Reuters. He also added that they can continue their protests as long as they are doing it peacefully and safely and not hurting anyone.

After protests erupted in the US in the wake of Floyd’s killing, several countries, including the United Kingdom, have staged demonstrations in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Floyd died on May 25 after a white police officer placed him under arrest and knelt on his neck for nine minutes.

London and other cities in the UK have witnessed protests speaking up against police brutality and racism against minorities.

Sterling added that people are tired and are ready for change.

“At this moment in time, there’s only so much people can take. There’s only so much communities and other backgrounds can take—especially black people. It’s been going on for hundreds of years and people are tired and people are ready for change,” Sterling said.

The England forward stressed that change needs to be implemented, and highlighted football’s role in realising the need for these changes and giving people an equal chance.

“But this is something that I myself will continue to do, and spark these debates and get people in my industry looking at themselves and thinking what they can do to give people an equal chance in this country.

“Hopefully other industries can do that, and everyday society and the system as well.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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