City Councilor Michelle Wu Introduces Resolution in Support of Olympic Athletes’ Right to Declare Black Lives Matter

City Councilor Michelle Wu Introduces Resolution in Support of Olympic Athletes’ Right to Declare Black Lives Matter

Boston, MA - City Councilor Michelle Wu today introduced a resolution condemning the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) ban on political, social, or ideological protest at the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games, including wearing apparel that says Black Lives Matter or taking a knee to protest police violence and racial injustice. The Boston City Council resolution affirms that Black Lives Matter and calls for the IOC to lift rule 50, allowing athletes full freedom of expression to fight for human rights and racial justice. 

           “Athletes who speak up for human rights and against racial injustice should be celebrated, not punished. On the world stage, our Boston athletes - and all athletes - must have the right to free expression to declare that Black Lives Matter. Countless members of Boston’s athletic community have used their platforms to speak out against police brutality and racial injustice, from youth coaches having difficult conversations to the Black Lives Matter billboard erected outside Fenway Park. We must affirm the right to speak up and speak out against injustice at the Olympics and wherever else we find it,” said Michelle Wu.