Dharamshala, 14th November: Enes Kanter slammed the NBA and Nike on Wednesday for failing to speak out against China’s human rights violations. Kanter questioned whether the NBA was on his side during an appearance on PBS’ “Amanpour & Company,” as he continues to speak out against China’s treatment of Tibet, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Uighurs.
During the team’s triumph over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, October 25, the Boston Celtics center, who has been vocal about the condition of minorities in China, donned special sneakers with the words “Modern Day Slavery” and “No More Excuses” written on them.
Dear @Nike
Stop the modern day SLAVERY, now!!!#HypocriteNike#EndUyghurForcedLabor pic.twitter.com/tvX2k3wE4X
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) October 25, 2021
Simultaneously, he produced a video on his official Twitter account imploring the shoe-making company to end “modern-day SLAVERY” immediately.
The Boston Celtics center recalls a game at Madison Square Garden earlier this season in which he chose to wear sneakers that stated “free Tibet.” NBA officials contacted him, pleading with him to take them off and threatening to “ban” him if he didn’t. Kanter refused to remove the shoes, claiming that officials apologized and explained that he was not breaking any rules by wearing them.
Wow. Enes Kanter says the NBA threatened to ban him for wearing Free Tibet sneakers pic.twitter.com/j3gYTgNGMT
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) November 11, 2021
China has barred Celtics games because of his outspokenness. He called it “awful” and hoped the league had issued a statement condemning China for barring Chinese fans from attending the games.
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