Senator Loeffler’s Anti-BLM Remarks Spark Calls for Her Removal

In collaboration with “The Justice Movement,” Women’s National Basketball Association players recently decided to honor women such as Breonna Taylor, who died as a result of police brutality, Sandra Bland, who allegedly committed suicide while in police custody, and Vanessa Guillen, who was murdered by her sexual abuser, by wearing warm-up shirts that say “Black Lives Matter” on the front and “Say Her Name” on the back.

U.S. senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) wrote a letter to the WNBA commissioner, Cathy Engelbert in opposition to the BLM movement. In response, many are calling for Loeffler’s removal as co-owner of the Atlanta Dream basketball team.

Loeffler wrote, “I adamantly oppose the Black Lives Matter political movement, which has advocated for the defunding of police, called for the removal of Jesus from churches and the disruption of the nuclear family structure, harbored anti-Semitic views, and promoted violence and destruction across the country. I believe it is totally misaligned with the values and goals of the WNBA and the Atlanta Dream, where we support tolerance and inclusion.”

In her letter, she also suggested that the addition of the American flag to the players jerseys would be a “common sense” solution, despite arguing that “we need less—not more politics in sports.” Loeffler wrote, “Though I was not consulted about—nor do I agree with the League’s decision in this matter, I am proposing a common-sense recommendation to ensure we reflect the values of freedom and equality for all.” 

The WNBA Players Association, as well as current and former WNBA players Sheryl Swoopes, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Natasha Cloud, demanded that Sen. Loeffler no longer be a co-owner of the Atlanta basketball team.

E-N-O-U-G-H!

O-U-T!https://t.co/XgIS2vRb2X

— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) July 7, 2020

The WNBA’s statement regarding Kelly Loeffler was pretty quiet, but the players voices have not been pic.twitter.com/oNodijQ0rG

— Brady Klopfer (@BradyKlopferNBA) July 7, 2020

The WNBA issued a statement in response to Loeffler’s remarks, writing, “The WNBA is based on the principle of equal and fair treatment of all people and we, along with the teams and players, will continue to use our platforms to vigorously advocate for social justice. Sen. Kelly Loeffler has not served as a Governor of the Atlanta Dream since October 2019 and is no longer involved in the day-to-day business of the team.”

https://twitter.com/alexaphilippou/status/1280588842081366018

People were also quick to criticize Loeffler in other areas as well. Twitter user @jawja100 wrote, “Please remember, you’ve never been elected to anything!”

Loeffler was selected by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp as the successor to former U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson when the latter resigned due to health reasons in December 2019.

Loeffler opposes WNBA's plan to spread 'Black Lives Matter' message

ONLY 2 PEOPLE IN GEORGIA WANTED YOU IN US SENATE, KKKEMP & YOU!

PLEASE REMEMBER, YOU'VE NEVER BEEN ELECTED TO ANYTHING!

DID ANYONE ASK YOUR PERMISSION?#VOTEBLUETOENDTHISNIGHTMAREhttps://t.co/v2p91gT5A1

— SNOWFLAKE (@jawja100) July 7, 2020

Another Twitter member, user @AnthonyEmerso14 wrote, “Sen. Loeffler should be more concerned about her insider trading investigation and her dismal re-election chances.”

Sen. Loeffler should be more concerned about her insider trading investigation and her dismal re-election chances. https://t.co/W49KCGpjc1

— Anthony Emerson🌲🌹🦞🇾🇪 (@AnthonyMEmerson) July 7, 2020

Loeffler is running in the special U.S. Senate election that will take place in November 2020. She faces Republican opposition from U.S. Rep. Doug Collins and from Democrats including prominent Atlanta pastor Raphael Warnock.