Marco Rubio slams hypocrisy of NBA team calling for gun control laws

by mcardinal

Lauren Moye, FISM News

 

Basketball is once again political, as the Miami Heat asked thousands of people to demand “commonsense gun control laws” from their local senators on Wednesday. The pregame announcement follows closely after Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr criticized the Senate for stalling on universal background check legislation. Senator Marco Rubio condemned the National Basketball Association for their outspoken stance on gun control while remaining silent on China’s Uyghur genocide.

On Wednesday before Game 5 of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Boston Celtics, the Heat initiated a pre-game moment of silence for the tragic loss of 21 lives, including 19 children, in the recent mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

“Our hope is that the families, friends, coworkers, and loved ones of all those impacted by this tragedy will find the comfort and strength they need, as they carry on in honor of those whose lives were lost,” the announcer said.

However, after the moment of silence ended, the NBA announcer added, “The Heat urges you to contact your state senators by calling 202-224-3121 to leave a message demanding their support for common-sense gun laws. You can also make change at the ballot box. Visit heat.com/vote to register and let your voice be heard this fall.”

The day before, another NBA team waded into the political sphere when the California-based Warriors’ head coach used press time ahead of his team’s game to criticize the lack of Senate progress on H.R. 8, which would require universal background checks on all U.S. gun sales. Kerr said, “When are we going to do something? … I’m tired of moments of silence. Enough!”

Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) condemned the announcement as hypocrisy. He tweeted out a video of the moment, saying, “The NBA doesn’t like to talk about the billions they make from a China that enslaves Uyghur Muslims and harvests their organs, but they have no problem politicizing a horrific tragedy in America.”

FISM previously reported on the harsh treatment of the Uyghurs at the hands of Chinese authorities. In addition to being placed in forced labor camps, evidence has been presented that individuals within this Muslim-based ethnicity have been tortured and forcibly sterilized in what may constitute a type of genocide.

China has denied wrongdoing, but evidence suggests this has been occurring for multiple years already. One video submitted to the investigating tribunal was determined to be most likely taken in August 2018. Meanwhile, a 2019 NBC Sports article reported that NBA’s ties with China were worth billions of dollars even back then.

“Since @NBA @MiamiHeat is so committed to social justice and has pledged to “speak the truth,” when can we expect you to condemn the genocide of Uyghur Muslims being committed by your business partners in China?” Rubio asked.

According to Rubio, China nets each NBA team $133 million:

 

DONATE NOW