'They haven't got brains!': Gabriel Jesus condemns racists and shows his support for Black Lives Matter movement… as Manchester City striker opens up on the 'painful' abuse directed at him on the pitch
- Gabriel Jesus has voiced his support for the Black Lives Matter movement
- The Man City striker also opened up on the painful abuse he has suffered
- George Floyd's death in America has sparked widespread calls for change
- Jesus gave his backing to the peaceful protests taking place across the world
Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus has spoken out on the painful racism he has suffered during his career as he showed solidarity with the Black Lives Matter protests.
Demonstrations against racism have been taken place worldwide following the death of George Floyd in the United States.
Floyd died in Minneapolis on May 25 when a police officer continued to hold his knee on his neck for nine minutes while arresting him.
Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus has spoken out on the painful racism he has suffered
The 23-year-old added his support to the Black Lives Matter protests currently taking place
The white officer, Derek Chauvin, was dismissed and charged with second degree murder and there have been a wave of protests throughout America and the rest of the world to demand change.
Several figures from the sporting world have also spoken out in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and Jesus believes people have become exhausted by the injustices.
'Racism isn't a problem that only started in recent days and it isn't normal, so people do feel that they have had enough, and they have exploded,' he said, as quoted by Goal.
George Floyd's death sparked widespread calls for change across the world and United States
Several sporting stars including England's Jadon Sancho have spoken out since Floyd's death
'I'm against violence or any sort of violent protest. I'm all in favour of peaceful protests in order to say "no to racism" and whenever we say "Black Lives Matter", we should also read it correctly and understand the meaning behind it.
'We aren't saying that other lives don't matter, but we are saying that the lives of black people who feel racism matter. We can't generalise it. Not everyone is racist, the majority aren't, but lots of people are and it's like they haven't got brains.
'So, when we use that sentence it's because we know what it is to be a victim of racism. It is painful to feel it.'
Jesus was racially abused when playing for Brazilian club Palmeiras during a Copa Libertadores tie in Uruguay and spoke about his experiences of dealing with discrimination.
'I'm black and I'm from a favela. I was able to learn from those experiences, but everyone reacts and feels differently and I've got my way. I have suffered a couple of times. I've managed to elevate myself [above it],' he said.
Jesus was racially abused when playing for Brazilian club Palmeiras during a game in Uruguay
'This is a very important movement, because like I said, there is a time that people do wake up and these actions [police brutality] that we've seen lately aren't normal and they shouldn't happen.
'Therefore there is a moment that we have to say "enough, time to stop" and it is important to show your position on this matter and this sentence [Black Lives Matter] is very clear on how tired people have been exhausted for a while, tired of injustice.'
Man City are back in action on June 17 when they take on Arsenal in the first game of the Premier League's return since the coronavirus suspension.
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