Black lives matter: Michael Holding backs George Floyd protests

West Indies’ former fast-bowler Michael Holding, during a YouTube interview, backed the protests that are being held in the United States (US) after the atrocious murder of George Floyd (an African-American), recorded on video, which was committed by a police officer while he was trying to detain him as a suspect.

Floyd, while being detained, could be heard telling the officer who had pinned him down that he could not breathe. The officer had his knee on Floyd’s neck and did not remove it until Floyd became unresponsive. The whole scene was covered through videos made by onlookers and spread throughout social media, which has in turn created a wave of protests throughout the country.

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Holding, nicknamed ‘Whispering Death’ due to his quiet approach to the crease and menacing pace, claimed that he could not allow this incident to pass without making a comment.

“As a black man I cannot allow this to go or just let it pass without making a comment. I want to send my best wishes for George Floyd’s family in the United States and to all the people who are suffering in the US right now, perhaps not all physically, but a lot of them mentally. I also want to let them know that I support the protest. I do not support any violence associated with it but I support what they are trying to do and I am hoping for the best,” Holding said.

Protests have gripped the US as people march for the rights of the African-American community along with the rights of other marginalised groups. The movement and protests are a result of years of structural and systemic violence against minority groups perpetrated by the police of the US.

Holding represented West Indies in 60 Tests and 102 One-day Internationals (ODIs) while picking up 249 wickets and 142 wickets respectively in each format.