WTA pulls China tournaments over Peng Shuai, Enes Kanter Freedom urges US sports leagues to ‘take notes’
Boston Celtics’ Enes Kanter Freedom calls out China over human rights abuses, treatment of tennis star Peng Shuai
WTA pulls China tournaments over Peng Shuai, Enes Kanter Freedom urges US major sports leagues to ‘take note’
Boston Celtics player Enes Kanter Freedom argues the Chinese government is trying to 'control the narrative' around tennis star Peng Shuai.
Boston Celtics player Enes Kanter Freedom, who recently changed his last name to "Freedom" to honor becoming a U.S. citizen, is urging U.S. sporting leagues to "take notes" after the Women’s Tennis Association suspended all tournaments in China over the treatment of Peng Shuai.
"I feel like every major league in the United States should take notes and take examples of what WTA is doing," Freedom told FOX Business' Maria Bartiromo.
Freedom applauded the tennis organization for its "amazing" response to the Chinese government amid the Peng Shuai controversy and for putting "morals, values and principles" above money.
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"Everybody knows that she’s not safe. She’s not free to talk. She’s not free to travel. And, you know, China’s Communist Party is trying to control the narrative about her," the NBA player explained.
The Boston Celtics star has been one of the biggest names in sports to vocally criticize China for its human rights abuses.
Boston Celtics' Enes Kanter (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Freedom has even taken the protest to the court by wearing customized shoes calling out Nike’s dealings in China, as well as protesting the 2022 Olympic Games that are set to take place in Beijing.
He has encouraged his fellow athletic colleagues, such as Lakers’ star LeBron James and others with a platform to join in him condemning the Chinese government’s aggressive actions against its citizens.
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"We need to be the voice of all those innocent people out there who don’t have a voice, and this platform is given to us by God," Freedom said.
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Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter Freedom on becoming a U.S. citizen, Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, LeBron James, speaking out against the Chinese government, U.S. corporations and the International Olympic Committee.
Although Enes Kanter Freedom has been praised by many for his courageous acts, the NBA athlete and social activist has not been endorsed by any U.S. corporations despite his pro-American stance.
"I guess they’re too scared. I had not heard anything from them," Freedom told the "Mornings with Maria" host.
All I care about is for these corporations to "stand up for what’s right." "That’s all I need and that’s all I want," he added.