AMERICAN Schalke midfielder Weston McKennie donned a 'Justice For George' armband in the Bundesliga on Saturday to pay tribute to George Floyd.
Floyd, 46, was an African American man who died on Monday, after cop Derek Chauvin was filmed kneeling on his neck during an arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit note, a non-violent crime.
The footage of Floyd, a father, begging for help has gone viral and caused widespread outrage both online and on the streets as mass riots broke out in Minneapolis on Wednesday night.
Protests have since spread across the nation, including to capital Washington D.C. – causing the White House to be placed on lockdown.
Chauvin, a 44-year-old white man, was arrested and is now facing a third-degree murder charge as well as one for second-degree manslaughter.
USA international McKennie was spotted wearing the armband in his side's 1-0 loss to Werder Bremen.
McKennie, who has won 19 caps for his country, later posted a compilation of images of him wearing the armband on Instagram and Twitter.
The 22-year-old captioned the post: "To be able to use my platform to bring attention to a problem that has been going on to long feels good!!!
"We have to stand up for what we believe in and I believe that it is time that we are heard! #justiceforgeorgefloyd #saynotoracism."
Popular pundit and ex-England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright revealed his state of mind after viewing the distressing clip online.
Wright tweeted: "I'm tired. We tired.
"The comments, the replies, every day explaining ourselves.
"That video. Just drained. Maybe time for a bit of break."
To be able to use my platform to bring attention to a problem that has been going on to long feels good!!! We have to stand up for what we believe in and I believe that it is time that we are heard! #justiceforgeorgefloyd #saynotoracism
A post shared byWeston McKennie (@west.mckennie) on
Wright insinuated he needed a break from social media – where McKennie was praised for taking a stand.
One fan said: "Keep pushing the message – the world is watching."
Another commented: "I watched the game and thought it was a captain's band and was proud of you. Now I see what it really was and am prouder still."
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