Adidas And Nike Unite Against Racism After George Floyd Death

Sportswear giants Adidas and Nike have united on Twitter in the fight against racism amid protests across America following the death of George Floyd.

Floyd, a black man, died when a white police officer pinned him to the ground and knelt on his neck in Minneapolis, leading to violent protests across the country, including looting and the burning down of historical buildings.

Nike released a video with the tagline, “Let’s all be part of the change.”

“For once, don’t do it,” the video said.

“Don’t pretend there’s not a problem in America.

“Don’t turn your back on racism.

“Don’t accept innocent lives being taken from us.

“Don’t make any more excuses.

“Don’t think this doesn’t affect you.

“Don’t sit back and be silent.

“Don’t think you can’t be part of the change,” Nike’s video said.

Adidas, Nike’s biggest rival in the sportswear industry, shared the video on their social media, saying, “together is how we move forward. Together is how we make change.”

The police officer, Derek Chauvin, was arrested on Friday, and is facing third-degree murder and manslaughter charges in the death of Floyd, with all four police officers involved in the incident being dismissed.

Countless current and former athletes, coaches and others involved in sports have shown their support on social media and through donations for the fight against racial inequality, with several taking to the streets with protesters, including Boston Celtics player, Jaylen Brown.

Formula One driver, Lewis Hamilton, spoke out about the incident, also offering a condemnation of the silence from others in Formula One.

“I see those of you who are staying silent, some of you the biggest of stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram.

“Not a sign from anybody in my industry which of course is a white-dominated sport.

“I’m one of the only people of colour there yet I stand alone.

“I would have thought by now you would see why this happens and say something about it but you can’t stand alongside us.

“Just know I know who you are, and I see you,” he said.