LeBron James has removed a tweet he posted in response to the police shooting of 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant, a black girl from Columbus, Ohio. He explained that he decided to delete the post because it was being misinterpreted to stir up more negativity.
Bryant was shot by a police officer after law enforcement officers arrived in response to a 911 call reporting an attack on Tuesday afternoon. The shooting occurred just moments before a court in Minneapolis announced a guilty verdict in the case of George Floyd’s murder.
After the Minneapolis jury’s decision, James tweeted the word “accountability” and shared a picture of the white officer involved in the Bryant shooting, along with the caption: “YOU’RE NEXT #ACCOUNTABILITY.” The latter tweet has been taken down by him.
Expressing his frustration about the ongoing violence against Black individuals by the police, James further elaborated on his decision. He stated, “I removed the tweet because it’s being twisted to fuel more hatred. This issue goes beyond one officer; it reflects systemic problems. Our words are often weaponized to stir up racism. I emphasize the need for greater accountability.”
He emphasized the importance of seeking knowledge and avoiding reacting out of anger.
