China Pulls Celtics Games After Enes Kanter Put Out Pro-Tibet Messages on Social Media

For every action, there’s a reaction.

Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter’s latest comments about Chinese President Xi Jinping has significant consequences.

Kanter sent a pro-Tibet message on Social Media on Wednesday . Kanter also wore “Free Tibet” on his sneakers during the Celtics/Knicks season opener. Kanter called Xi a “brutal dictator.”

“My message to the Chinese government is free Tibet. Tibet belongs to Tibetans, I am here to add my voice and speak out against what is happening in Tibet under the Chinese government’s brutal rule,” he said.

He added:

“I say, ‘Shame on the Chinese government.’ The Chinese dictatorship is erasing Tibetan identity and culture.”

Dear Brutal Dictator XI JINPING and the Chinese Government

Tibet belongs to the Tibetan people!#FreeTibet pic.twitter.com/To4qWMXK56

— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) October 20, 2021

According to the New York Times, following Kanter’s message, Chinese streaming giant Tencent Sports reportedly said it would not stream Celtics games anymore.

Boston Celtics games were pulled from the Chinese internet after Enes Kanter, a center on the team, said on social media that Xi Jinping, China's leader, was a "brutal dictator." https://t.co/0QKKINfkBv

— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 21, 2021

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., was among those who supported Kanter.

This is exactly right @EnesKanter. Thank you for your courage and willingness to use your platform to stand up to General Secretary Xi!

When we all stand up together, we act as the voice for Tibetans living under the oppression and abuses of communist rule in Beijing. https://t.co/AQZd2STl3B

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 21, 2021

Kanter is always speaking his mind, even if it upsets an entire nation.

You have to respect him speaking his truth.

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