Vanessa Bryant has shared a touching photo of her late husband Kobe Bryant wearing a shirt that reads ‘I CAN’T BREATHE’ following the murder of George Floyd who was filmed crying out for help as police officer Derek Chauvin was kneeling on his neck.
In her Instagram post, Vanessa explained that her husband wore the shirt years ago as she called for people to spread love and drive out hate.
According to the reports, the NBA legend, who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, back in January 2020, wore the shirt during a 2014 match to honor Eric Garner who passed away following a chokehold by a police officer.
At the time, Kobe spoke out about Garner’s death and the country’s justice system and told Associated Press that “it’s important that we stand up for what we believe in” and voice our opinions about pressing matters.
“They’re really questioning the justice system and questioning the process of the legal system, and those who have authority and whether or not they’re abusing authority, and what’s the threshold to use deadly force and so forth,” Kobe told Associated Press.
“We have the ability to question these things in a peaceful fashion, and that’s what makes us a great country, is we have the ability to voice up. We have the platform to speak up, and we have the platform to affect change,” he added.
In her Instagram post, Vanessa wrote:
“My husband wore this shirt years ago and yet here we are again … Life is so fragile. Life is so unpredictable. Life is too short. Let’s share and embrace the beautiful qualities and similarities we all share as people.
“Drive out hate. Teach respect and love for all at home and school. Spread LOVE. Fight for change- register to VOTE. Do not use innocent lives lost as an excuse to loot. BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE. #BLACKLIVESMATTER”
In just a day after her post went viral, Vanessa’s plea received nearly two million likes.
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Replaced!