[WVU Athletics\West Virginia University]
WVU Athletics\West Virginia University: “We have an obligation to peacefully stand up against hatred, intolerance and racism. Our student-athletes and staff are united to bring about a positive and peaceful change to our great country.”
Photo: Twitter
West Virginia University and WVU Athletics has responded to allegations, by a Republican state senator, that they are promoting “hate speech” because some football players are wearing Black Lives Matter stickers on their helmets.
West Virginia State Senator Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, had sent a letter to the West Virginia president E. Gordon Gee, and to Marshall University president Jerome Gilbert, saying that the BLM stickers “promote” “hate speech.
He also called on Gee, and Gilbert, to return taxpayer money saying that their universities had become “vehicles for anarchy.”
In response, West Virginia University and WVU Athletics released this joint statement:
“West Virginia University and its athletics department must ensure a safe and equitable environment for our students and staff. We have an obligation to peacefully stand up against hatred, intolerance and racism. Our student-athletes and staff are united to bring about a positive and peaceful change to our great country. As Mountaineers, we would not have it any other way.
“It’s important for our fans to know that this helmet sticker is not advocating for any organization or any political stance, violence, rioting, looting or destruction. The sticker is a call for unity, safety and equality.
“No state taxpayer dollars were used relating to these stickers. It is also important to note that each individual student-athlete voluntarily chose to participate.
“We have student-athletes who want to bring an end to the social injustices using peaceful and positive ideas. Our student-athletes take great pride in representing West Virginia University and the state of West Virginia and are impressive in their maturity and caring attitude.”
