The FIA — the governing body for motor racing — is looking into whether or not Lewis Hamilton broke their rules by wearing a shirt demanding justice for Breonna Taylor before Sunday’s (Sep. 13) Tuscan Grand Prix race.
On Monday (Sep. 14), a FIA spokesperson said that they are a non-political organization and the incident is “under active consideration.” Their statue states that no one can make any political statements or gestures during events. Hamilton could be fined for his attire.
Ahead of Sunday’s race, Hamilton wore a black T-shirt that read, “ARREST THE COPS WHO KILLED BREONNA TAYLOR” on the front and “SAY HER NAME” written above her picture on the back.
Hamilton, who is Formula One’s first and only Black world champion in its history, took a knee on the race track. After winning the race, Hamilton wore the shirt to the podium as he held up his trophy.
He also explained why he wore the shirt. “It took me a long time to get that shirt and I’ve been wanting to wear that and bring awareness to the fact that there’s people that have been killed on the street and there’s someone that got killed in her own house,” the six-time Formula One champion said in a news conference. “We have to continue to raise awareness. … I think we just have to continue to push on the issue.”
Taylor was just 26 years old when she was fatally shot by Louisville police officers who executed a “no-knock” warrant at her apartment in the middle of the night back in March. None of the police officers who were involved in the shooting have been arrested or charged for her death. Her case has garnered national attention as many celebrities — including Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé and Kyrie Irving — called for the cops to be held accountable.
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is reportedly set to present the investigation findings to a grand jury very soon. The grand jury will then decide whether or not the officers who were involved in the shooting will face any criminal charges.