According to a statement from NASCAR, a noose was found in African American driver Bubba Wallace’s garage stall on Sunday (June 21). As reported by REVOLT, the incident occurred a few days after NASCAR banned Confederate flags at racing events, which Wallace urged the organization to do earlier this month.
Following the discovery, Wallace tweeted that the “despicable act of racism and hatred” left him “incredibly saddened.” On Monday (June 21), LeBron James reacted to the news and showed his support for Wallace on Twitter.
“Sickening!” the legendary basketball player wrote. “[Bubba Wallace] my brother! Know you don’t stand alone! I’m right here with you as well as every other athlete.”
“I just want to continue to say how proud I am of you for continuing to take a stand for change here in America and sports!” he continued. “[NASCAR] I salute you as well!”
On June 10, James announced that he and a coalition of athletes and celebrities would launch More Than A Vote, an initiative designed to protect the voting rights of Black people.
“Because of everything that’s going on, people are finally starting to listen to us — we feel like we’re finally getting a foot in the door,” James told The New York Times. “How long is up to us. We don’t know. But, we feel like we’re getting some ears and some attention and this is the time for us to finally make a difference.”
“Yes, we want you to go out and vote, but we’re also going to give you the tutorial,” he continued. “We’re going to give you the background of how to vote and what they’re trying to do, the other side, to stop you from voting.”
Following NASCAR’s confirmation about the noose found in Wallace’s stall, the driving organization vowed to investigate the incident in a statement.
“We are angry and outraged, and cannot state strongly enough how seriously we take this heinous act,” NASCAR wrote. “We have launched an immediate investigation, and will do everything we can to identify the person(s) responsible and eliminate them from the sport.”
See James’ tweet below.