Posted on 10/05/2020 12:49:53 PM PDT by MarvinStinson
Cycling team Trek-Segafredo has suspended the 2019 junior road race world champion Quinn Simmons after he made comments in support of President Donald Trump on Twitter.
Simmons, a 19-year-old American, was replying to Dutch cycling journalist Jose Been. Been initially tweeted statements that were critical of Trump.
"My dear American friends, I hope this horrible presidency ends for you. And for us as (former?) allies too,” Been wrote, via the Associated Press."If you follow me and support Trump, you can go. There is zero excuse to follow or vote for the vile, horrible man."
Simmons replied to Been with “Bye,” and a Black-skinned waving hand emoji.
After another Twitter user replied to Been with "Apparently a Trumper," Simmons replied again with "That's right" and an American flag emoji.
Trek-Segafredo: Simmons won’t race until further notice The racing team released a statement late Wednesday night about Simmons’ tweets and his use of a Black hand emoji.
"While we support the right to free speech, we will hold people accountable for their words and actions. Regrettably, Simmons made statements online that we feel are divisive, incendiary, and detrimental to the team, professional cycling, its fans, and the positive future we hope to help create for the sport In response, he will not be racing for Trek-Segafredo until further notice."
There has been some backlash after Simmons’ suspension, since he appears to be guilty of nothing more than stating his support for the current US president, and none of his comments were derogatory or inappropriate.
However, the issue could be his use of a Black-skinned hand emoji. Since Simmons is white, using an emoji with a dark skin tone could be considered to be a form of Blackface. Trek-Segafredo has not explained what specifically got Simmons suspended.
(Excerpt) Read more at aol.com ...
Trek seems like a fine brand of bike to buycott!
Segafredo is an Italian coffee company.
“While we support the right to free speech, we will hold people accountable for their words and actions. Regrettably, Simmons made statements online that we feel are divisive, incendiary, and detrimental to the team, professional cycling, its fans...”
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Now we learn saying “bye” and affirming you support Pres. Trump is incendiary or divisive and will get you ejected from the team. But, saying there is zero excuse to vote for Trump is just fine.
Any wonder polling for the Presidential election might be a bit off?
It is the only. Until these organizations feel it in the pocket book, nothing will change.
It is the only. Until these organizations feel it in the pocket book, nothing will change.
I wish their was some way to make it known that my previously inadvertent boycott of bicycle racing is now intentional.
“I’m not so sure that would bother them.”
Probably not.
At this point Brussels is just a German puppet. Germany pulls the strings in the EU and Brussels dances to the tune.
Nike gave her a huge contract for trashing Trump. Writing bye gets you fired??? Communists never were much for free speech.
This CRAP MUST STOP!! NOW!
Diversity in Cycling said on Twitter: “In Black History Month, it is worth explaining why Quinn Simmons’ tweets were racist. It was not because of his politics, but because he used a black hand gesture.
“This is a form of blackface – a means of racist oppression used by extremist groups.
“No Quinn, the furore is not about your political beliefs, it is about your racism.
“You used a black hand gesture, a form of blackface. You know the history of blackface right?
“Trek-Segafredo 100 per cent correct to suspend you. Listen and learn.”
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