French Mayor Criticizes NBA Star Victor Wembanyama for Supporting Protests
Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi accuses the San Antonio Spurs player of encouraging unrest with his statements on French demonstrations.
The mayor of Nice, France, Christian Estrosi, has publicly criticized NBA player Victor Wembanyama for his support of ongoing protests in France, accusing the athlete of encouraging unrest. Estrosi called for Wembanyama to be condemned for his statements.
The protests began in September with high school students seeking better school conditions, including more resources and improved facilities. The movement has since broadened to include protests against government spending cuts, drawing support from university students, labor unions, and elements of France's "Yellow Vest" movement.
Violence escalated on October 17, when hundreds of thousands participated in demonstrations across France. Clashes between demonstrators and police occurred in cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, with reports of rioting, fires, and looting.
Wembanyama, who was born in France, had previously expressed support for the student protesters. In early October, he stated, "I’m glad that high school students, young people in general, are making their voices heard, because I hear them and I support them. And I hope the people at the very top will do the same."
Following the widespread violence on October 17, Wembanyama has not publicly commented on the protests or the ensuing unrest. He also has not responded to Mayor Estrosi's criticism.
This is not the first time Wembanyama has spoken out on political issues. Earlier in the year, he stated his opposition to ICE in America, despite efforts by the Spurs' public relations team to advise against it. During the NBA Finals, Wembanyama also drew attention for his actions during the U.S. national anthem, crossing his arms and reportedly staying off the court for its entirety in one instance.
Some observers have suggested that Wembanyama's engagement with political causes could impact the NBA's popularity, drawing parallels to LeBron James's experiences with political activism.
Mayor Estrosi's remarks suggest a sentiment that Wembanyama, by lending his platform to the demonstrations, bears responsibility for their trajectory, particularly given the subsequent violence. The critique implies that Wembanyama should use his platform to condemn the violent aspects of the protests he initially supported.