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Kyrie Irving
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Controversial basketball superstar Kyrie Irving spoke out publicly after tweeting about a film criticized as anti-Semitic.
In a statement published jointly by Irving, the Brooklyn Nets and an anti-discrimination organization, the basketball pro is quoted as saying on Wednesday evening (local time): "I reject all forms of hate and oppression and stand strongly by communities that every day marginalized and affected." The 30-year-old is aware of the "negative effects" of his Twitter post on the Jewish community and accepts responsibility for it.
Irving had shared a link to the film "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America" via Twitter, which the US media also classified as racist and misogynist, homophobic and Islamophobic.
His club immediately distanced itself from the player's statements.
"The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn any form of hate speech and have zero tolerance for any form of advertising for it," the NBA team said in a statement available to US broadcaster ESPN.
Irving later said he respected "all religions" and didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings.
The joint statement said that the players and club will each donate $500,000 (approximately EUR 511,000) to organizations that fight against hate and intolerance in society.
Nets club owner Joe Tsai had also condemned Irving's behavior in clear terms.
"I'm disappointed that Kyrie appears to be supporting a film based on a book full of anti-Semitic disinformation." The point guard shared the link to the film without comment.
conspiracy theorist Irving
Irving had already attracted attention in the past with conspiracy theory statements: he clicked on the Like button on social media posts on theories that satanic secret societies were behind the corona vaccines.
He recently shared a video by well-known conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on Instagram.
In it, Jones spoke about the "New World Order" theory, which fantasizes about plans for a totalitarian world government.
One alleged method of establishing such a government: spreading viruses.
mfu/dpa