NASCAR drivers comment amid protests in Charlotte

Jimmie Johnson is hoping for more “peaceful protesting”

Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin placed his knee on the neck of George Floyd during the course of an arrest. Floyd later died.

The officer has since been relieved of his duties with the police department and that precinct has since been burnt to the ground by protesters. He’s also been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Across the country, activists have taken a stand against police brutality. That includes Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina where some damage was inflicted on Sunday night.

King’s Kitchen donates 100% of their profits to help feed the poor. But, they appeared at work today to see their restaurant windows smashed out.

The Uptown protests began early Sunday afternoon in Romare Bearden Park, two blocks away from the NASCAR Hall of Fame. It started peacefully with a march around the city.

But after midnight, un-peaceful protesters circled back to smash the windows on the 7-Eleven, Mellow Mushroom and the Element Apartment building. All three are all adjacent to the park where the protests began about 12 hours earlier.

The NASCAR community has taken notice of what’s going on across the country…

Jimmie Johnson

“Yeah, I’ve watched it all,” Jimmie Johnson said ahead of the Sunday’s race at Bristol when speaking of the headlines around the protests and police brutality.

“The circumstances are just crazy and unacceptable. I am for protesting, peaceful protesting and I hope there’s more of that tonight.”

“I know there are concerns, especially in the Charlotte area, near my home, that they will be protesting tonight. The message needs to be clear, but I think being peaceful is really the right way to send the message here. I hope everybody stays safe.”

Clint Bowyer

“It’s very sad,” Bowyer said. “Heart goes out to everybody involved. Just praying for everybody. It’s very sad to see every angle, every aspect, everything you’re seeing. Very, very sad.”

Daniel Suarez

“I feel pain, disappointment & anger every time I see the horrible video of George Floyd pleading for his life,” Daniel Suarez stated via twitter.

“He deserved better, black people deserve better, humanity deserves better.”

“We live in the 21st century. When will racism & prejudice stop?”

Tyler Reddick

“I want to let everyone know out there, I hurt with you and I stand with you,” Reddick stated via twitter.

Ty Dillon

“I never want to be seen as someone who is silent on the subject of racism and social injustice. My heart is in pain for my brothers and sisters in the black community, the family of George Floyd and the many other families who have been affected by racism and hate. As a white male, I have never been accused, hated or physically harmed because of the color of my skin.”

“While I will never know how that feels, I have felt hurt in my life and the pain it can cause is real. Around the country, a lot of my brothers and sisters are currently hurt deeply and have been for hundreds of years without change.”

“I want to be a part of the generation that forever changes this narrative. The conversation that this hatred is not okay needs to happen in ALL communities and we must be willing to talk about it.”

“The one thing I stand for in my life is Jesus. We are all brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, no matter the color of your skin. No human deserves to be oppressed, hated or killed because of their skin color.”

“Together, we can take meaningful action that can change our nation and put an end to racism and social injustice,” Ty Dillon concluded.

https://twitter.com/odsteve/status/1267408484854890496
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Jimmie Johnson | Bubba Wallace | Clint Bowyer | Daniel Suarez | Tyler Reddick | Ty Dillon | Bristol Motor Speedway | NASCAR

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