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Jeter encouraged by protests: 'No one should be excused from acts of racial hatred'

Mark Brown / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Miami Marlins CEO Derek Jeter issued a statement Monday to address George Floyd's death in Minneapolis last week and to support protests opposing racism and racial violence throughout the world.

"I am deeply saddened by the death of George Floyd and feel the pain and outrage it has caused his family and people throughout the world," Jeter said. "This is a narrative that has happened far too often with us as people of color. It is time for racial hatred to end and to be unquestionably recognized and responded to with severe punishment.

"It's encouraging to see people of all colors around the world speaking out and protesting another human tragedy that has too often been the death of a black person. No one should be excused from acts of racial hatred. Please do not allow anyone to demonize those who are standing up against these acts."

Since Floyd's death in police custody on May 25, civil protests have taken place throughout the United States and abroad. Four Minneapolis policemen were eventually fired, and officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter after video showed he kept his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes.

Jeter added he's hopeful the protests will result in significant and lasting change.

"I hope that my children and nephews don't have to live in a society where people are unjustly treated because of the color of their skin," he said.

"I hope that their white friends grow up to recognize that it is not only enough to verbalize their non-racist views, but also to participate at an active level to eradicate racism."

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