Six-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton delivered strong message ahead of his Tuscan Grand Prix race on Sunday (Sept. 13), demanding justice for Breonna Taylor.
Before the racing phenom hit the race track, he took a knee while wearing a black t-shirt that reads, “Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor” and “Say her name” on the back on top of a photo of Breonna.
“It’s been 6 months since Breonna Taylor was murdered by policemen, in her own home,” Hamilton captioned in a post on Instagram. “Still no justice has been served. We won’t stay silent.”
Taylor, 25, was asleep in her bed when Louisville officers executed a no-knock warrant at her home in the middle of the night. Taylor’s boyfriend, a licensed gun owner, fired gunshots towards the door because he believed someone was trying to enter their home. One officer discharged his weapon back in the direction of fire 10 times, striking Taylor eight. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
So far, the former officers who were involved, Brett Hankison, John Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, have yet to be arrested or charged. On Wednesday (Sept. 9), Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced that a grand jury will decide what charges they will face.
Hamilton has been very supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement in recent months as Black lives continue to be brutalized by cops in America. Though he is in the UK, Hamilton has been active in attending protests in London and regularly dons some type of clothing item with a social justice message.
In a chat with football luminary Thierry Henry and Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith, arranged by Puma, Hamilton explained his thoughts on what’s going on in America during a discussion about racism in sports.
“A lot of people think it is only happening in the states,” the 35-year-old said. “Yes, there is the police brutality in the states but systemic racism is across the world.”
“Very much in Europe and England,” Hamilton added. “I experienced that a lot growing up in the UK and then when I started driving race cars.”