Nets fans wear “Fight Antisemitism” shirts following Kyrie Irving Tweet

11/1/22 by Grace Paradis

Days after Nets guard Kyrie Irving tweeted the link to an antisemitic film, fans sitting courtside wore “Fight Antisemitism” shirts at Monday’s Pacers-Nets game.

According to AP News, Irving took to twitter to send out the Amazon link to a movie titled “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.” In the words of Nets owner Joe Tsai, the film is “based on a book full of antisemitic disinformation.”

After receiving backlash for his decision from Tsai, the Anti-Defamation League, and the general public, Irving said, “I am not going to stand down on anything I believe in. I’m only going to get stronger because I’m not alone.”

The NBA has issued a statement following Irving’s actions, expressing that this hate speech “runs counter to the NBA’s values of equality, inclusion, and respect.”

This is not the first time Irving has stirred up controversy, as the star has previously garnered attention for publicly supporting the theory that the Earth is flat. He additionally missed the majority of the Nets’ home games last season after refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 – a mandate in New York City. As the Nets declined to give Irving a contract extension this past summer, it is possible this is his last season with the team.