[ [link removed] ]Tell U.S. Olympic Committee: Don't penalize protest

Petition to the U.S. Olympic Committee:
"Do not penalize free speech. Rescind the probation imposed upon Race
Imboden and Gwen Berry and repeal the policy against peaceful, nonviolent
protest."

Add your name:

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Dear John,

[ [link removed] ]Tell U.S. Olympic
Committee: Don't penalize
protest

Fencer Race Imboden took home gold and bronze medals at the recent Pan Am
Games. Hammer thrower Gwen Berry won gold. But it was what they did off
the field that resulted in retribution from the U.S. Olympic Committee.

As the final notes of the national anthem played at the Pan Am medal
ceremony, Berry raised her right fist in the air. Imboden kneeled –
following the likes of Colin Kaepernick and Megan Rapinoe – explaining
later that he did it to speak out on “racism, gun control, mistreatment of
immigrants and a president who spreads hate."^1

As punishment, the U.S. Olympic Committee has put Berry and Imboden under
a 12-month probation, risking their spots at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics if
they continue to exercise their constitutional right to speak out.^2
That's unacceptable.

[ [link removed] ]Tell U.S. Olympic Committee: Don't penalize protest. Click here to sign
the petition.

"America can do better," Berry, a Black woman, said in an interview. Her
protest reminded onlookers of the fists John Carlos and Tommie Smith
raised at the 1968 Olympic Games. Imboden, ranked number one in the United
States for fencing, explained that it was his duty to stand in solidarity
with those facing gun violence or state terror:^3,4

I’ve been honored to represent my country in international competition,
and each time I hear our national anthem played, it’s a moment of
personal pride. I love my country, full stop. When I look around,
though, I see racial injustice, sexism, hate-inspired violence and
scapegoating of immigrants. This isn’t new, but it feels like it’s
getting worse, and after the mass killings in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio,
I wanted to use that moment on the podium to send a message that things
have to change.

The 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics represent an even bigger platform for these
two athletes and countless others. Both Berry and Imboden are top U.S.
athletes in their sports. But one more infraction would result in them
being denied the opportunity to compete in Tokyo. Their probation sends a
chilling signal to other athletes that if they protest before or in Tokyo,
they will face punishment as well.

Donald Trump's white nationalist rhetoric tries to steal patriotism from
the American people and make it the sole province of the radical right.
The athletes who protest are reclaiming pride in country for those who are
horrified by injustice, and yet they – especially women or athletes of
color – face cruel and unceasing attacks from Trump and his lackeys. We
need to tell the U.S. Olympic Committee that silencing dissent is
tantamount to picking sides. They must rescind Berry and Imboden's
probation and repeal their unjust policy.

Tell the U.S. Olympic Committee: Don't penalize protest. Click below to
sign the petition:

[ [link removed] ][link removed]

Thank you for speaking out,

Heidi Hess, Co-Director
[ [link removed] ]CREDO Action from Working Assets

Add your name:

[ [link removed] ]Sign the petition ►

References:

 1. Kimberly Richards, "[ [link removed] ]Race Imboden, Gwen Berry Receive 12-Month
Probations For Social Injustice Protests," HuffPost, Aug. 21, 2019.
 2. Ibid.
 3. Ibid.
 4. Race Imboden, "[ [link removed] ]I’m proud to be an American fencing champion. Here’s
why I knelt for our anthem." The Washington Post, Aug. 13, 2019.

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