Fan wearing "Fight anti-Semitism" shirt at Brooklyn Nets game calls for Kyrie Irving's suspension: "They should not keep a guy like that around”
During the Brooklyn Nets’ home game against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, some fans united to protest Nets' All-Star guard Kyrie Irving’s alleged anti-Semitism.
Fans wore shirts which read “Fight Antisemitism” and the protest was in reference to Irving recently sharing a link of an anti-Semitic film on Twitter. The group was made up of two women and six men wearing yarmulkes, including Nets' season ticket holder Aaron Jungreis.
Jungreis, 52, later spoke to the New York Post about why he believes the Brooklyn Nets should potentially move on from Kyrie Irving.
"They should not keep a guy like that around. A lot of people are going to cancel their tickets. They have to discipline him some way," Jungreis said.
Aaron Jungreis, 52-year-old season ticket holder, among those wearing "Fight anti-Semitism" shirts at Nets game, to The Post on Kyrie Irving: "They should not keep a guy like that around. A lot of people are going to cancel (their tickets). They have to discipline him some way"
Jungreis later added that the group still showed love to Irving:
"We told him we love him anyway, even though we know he hates us."
Jungreis said that Irving responded that he appreciated the fans too but that he said it rather sarcastically.
Aaron Jungreis, in "Fight anti-Semitism" shirt, on Kyrie Irving Part 2: "We told him we love him anyway, even though we know he hates us." He said Irving told the 8 fans in those shirts that he appreciates them, but "he said it sarcastically."
This goes in line with what could be seen on the broadcast as at one point Irving acknowledged the fans with a thumbs-up.
The Brooklyn Nets won the game 116-109. However, the team announced that Irving will not speak to the media after the game.
Brooklyn Nets’ reaction to Kyrie Irving’s alleged anti-Semitism
Kyrie Irving originally shared a link to the anti-Semitic film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” on Twitter on Thursday. According to the film’s synopsis, the point of the film is to “uncover the true identity of the Children of Israel.”
The NBA and Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai immediately issued statements condemning Irving’s actions following the news.
On Saturday, Irving then apologized for his actions on Twitter:
“I am an OMNIST and I meant no disrespect to anyone’s religious beliefs. The ‘Anti-Semitic’ label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday. I embrace and want to learn from all walks of life and religions."
I am an OMNIST and I meant no disrespect to anyone’s religious beliefs. The “Anti-Semitic” label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday. I embrace and want to learn from all walks of life and religions.
Hélà🤞🏾♾
However, Irving later turned more defensive when pressed about the issue by NBA reporters in the Nets’ postgame press conference on Saturday:
“Did I do anything illegal? Did I hurt anybody?
“Did I harm anybody? Am I going out and saying that I hate one specific group of people?"
Irving continued:
“I’m not going to stand down on anything I believe in. I’m only going to get stronger because I’m not alone. I have a whole army around me."
Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash said on Monday that he hopes the incident will provide Brooklyn “an opportunity to grow and understand new perspectives.”
Nash said:
“I think the organization is trying to take that stance or they may communicate through this, and try to all come out in a better position and with more understanding and more empathy for every side of this debate and situation."
So far, Irving has not received any punishment for his actions. However, given the recent pressure from fans, the Nets organization could be forced to take some disciplinary action against Irving.