<![CDATA[Pete Alonso calls out troll over ‘All Lives Matter’ comment]]> https://usagag.com/2020/06/02/pete-alonso-calls-out-troll-over-all-lives-matter-comment/ Tue, 02 Jun 2020 20:11:37 +0000 hourly 1 https://usagag.com Pete Alonso calls out troll over ‘All Lives Matter’ comment Pete Alonso continues to speak out amid the police brutality and social inequality protests across the country that were sparked by the killing of George Floyd, a black man in Minneapolis.

After posting a black-screen photo to his Instagram Tuesday for the #bblackouttuesday movement that has swept social media in solidarity with the protests, Alonso was met with an “All Lives Matter” comment from one of his followers.

The phrase is commonly seen as a counter to the Black Lives Matter movement, which began in 2013 in attempt to curb systematic racism.

Alonso, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, did not hold back in his response to the comment.

“Get out of here with that ignorance,” the 25-year-old face of the Mets replied. “Of course everybody’s life matters but we’re focusing on the widespread racism in our country right now. The question is, why does the black lives matter movement bothers you enough to have to say all lives matter?”

Alonso continued to respond to Instagram users.

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🙏🏻 #blackouttuesday

A post shared by Pete Alonso (@polarpete20) on

“I’ve done a lot to thank our frontline workers and first responders and have never promoted violence,” he said. “It’s an amazing concept that you can be against the systematic racism in our country and fight for something to change as well as see the good in people and see what our first responders that have all citizens best interest at heart do for our communities.”

In early April, Alonso headlined a group of Mets players who donated to New York City first responders and hospitals fighting COVID-19 on the front lines. Alonso has also recorded numerous personalized videos for front-line workers through bookings on Cameo, with proceeds going to his foundation – Homers for Heroes – which benefits wounded veterans.

Alonso had previously donated $50,000 to the Wounded Warriors Project, which aids military veterans, and $50,000 to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which raises money for families of first responders, with his winnings from the 2019 Home Run Derby.

Alonso first spoke about the death of Floyd on Sunday, when he wrote on Instagram that “I have a voice and I will not remain silent. My heart has been broken over the murder of George Floyd. I will never know what it feels like to be discriminated against because (of) the color of my skin. To anyone who faces this type of discrimination, I will fight for you and be an ally. I will always stand with you. There needs to be justice and change made for the better of humanity. Let words be our sword and unity be our armor. Take care of each other.”

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