Lewis Hamilton says he is 'overcome with rage' at the death of George Floyd, and that he is sick of people of color being 'born guilty'
- Lewis Hamilton says he is "overcome with rage" at the death of George Floyd, and that he is sick of people of color being "born guilty."
- Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died in Minneapolis on May 25 after white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly eight minutes during an arrest.
- The incident has sparked protests, some violent, all across the United States, and in many countries around the world.
- "This past week has been so dark," Hamilton said. "I have felt so much anger, sadness and disbelief in what my eyes have seen."
- "It took hundreds of thousands of peoples complaints and buildings to burn before officials reacted," Hamilton continued. "That is sad."
Lewis Hamilton says he is "overcome with rage" at the death of George Floyd, and that he is sick of people of color being "born guilty."
Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died in Minneapolis on May 25 after white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly eight minutes during an arrest. Chauvin has since been charged with third-degree murder.
"This past week has been so dark. I have failed to keep hold of my emotions," six-time F1 World Champion Hamilton, 35, said in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
"I have felt so much anger, sadness and disbelief in what my eyes have seen.
"I am completely overcome with rage at the sight of such blatant disregard for the lives of our people. The injustice that we are seeing our brothers and sisters face all over the world time and time again is disgusting, and MUST stop."
"So many people seem surprised, but to us unfortunately, it is not surprising. Those of us who are black, brown or in between, see it everyday and should not have to feel as though we were born guilty, don't belong, or fear for our lives based on the colour of our skin."
Floyd's death has sparked eight nights of mass protests across the United States against the treatment of black people by police. While most have been peaceful, some have been marred by vandalism, break-ins, looting, burnt buildings, and violent clashes with police.
"It took hundreds of thousands of peoples complaints and buildings to burn before officials reacted and decided to arrest Derek Chauvin for murder, and that is sad," Hamilton continued.
"Unfortunately, America is not the only place where racism lives and we continue to fail as humans when we cannot stand up for what is right. Please do not sit in silence, no matter the colour of your skin. Black Lives Matter."
On Sunday, Hamilton, Formula 1's first black driver, hit out at senior figures in the sport for not speaking out, saying: "I see those of you who are staying silent."
Following his most recent post on Instagram, Formula 1 released its first statement on the matter.
"We stand with you, and all people in the fight against racism," it said, according to the BBC. "It is an evil that no sport or society is truly immune from. And it is only together we can oppose an eradicate it.
"Together we are stronger."
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