鈥淣ow we鈥檙e judging people by their religion 鈥 trying to keep Muslims out,鈥 said Stan Van Gundy, head coach of the US National Basketball Association (NBA) team Detroit Piston in response to President Donald Trump鈥檚 executive order banning immigration and refugees from seven predominantly Muslim nations.
鈥淲e鈥檙e getting back to the days of putting the Japanese in relocation camps, of Hitler registering the Jews. That鈥檚 where we鈥檙e heading.鈥
Adding to ongoing protests against Donald Trump鈥檚 election victory, basketball teams appear to have also come out to play against the US president-elect. At least three NBA teams have said they will not be staying at Trump brand hotels, with other teams expected to follow their lead.
The Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks have already stopped, or will no longer stay, in Trump branded accommodation聽while they are on the road to play against the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls.
聽The protests by professional sports players in the United States during 鈥淭he Star-Spangled Banner鈥 have spread since NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick sparked the controversial movement in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in August by refusing to stand for the anthem before games. The protests have spread, with other NFL players joining in as well as sportspeople from soccer and volleyball.