Former NBA player Enes Kanter was ejected from Sunday's Women's NBA match between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever after getting involved in a verbal altercation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud.


Enes Kanter ejected from WNBA game amid transgender player controversy

<p>Despite Beijing blocking all Celtics games in the communist nation, Boston Celtics centre Enes Kanter maintained his pro-democracy activity Sunday night, tweeting images of his "Free China" game sneakers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“XI JINPING and the Chinese Communist Party Someone has to teach you a lesson, I will NEVER apologize for speaking the truth. You can NOT buy me. You can NOT scare me. You can NOT silence me. Bring it on!!” tweeted Kanter, who is Turkish and has a history of activism.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">XI JINPING and the Chinese Communist Party<br />
<br />
Someone has to teach you a lesson,<br />
I will NEVER apologize for speaking the truth.<br />
You can NOT buy me.<br />
You can NOT scare me.<br />
You can NOT silence me.<br />
<br />
Bring it on!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreedomShoes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreedomShoes</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/XinnieThePooh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#XinnieThePooh</a> <a href="https://t.co/JFGEgIaXlN">pic.twitter.com/JFGEgIaXlN</a></p>
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) <a href="https://twitter.com/EnesKanter/status/1452405549438541830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Kanter wore the red-and-white sneakers on the bench during Sunday’s game at the Houston Rockets.</p>

<p>Kanter, who did not participate in the game, has worn sneakers with an anti-China slogan for the third time in the last week.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/modern-land-another-chinese-property-developer-defaults-shares-drop-424059"><strong>Also read | Modern Land: Another Chinese property developer defaults, shares drop</strong></a><br />
<br />
The shoes were designed in collaboration with Badiucao, a Shanghai-born, Australia-based dissident cartoonist whose show in Hong Kong was cancelled in 2018.</p>

<p>The first pair, which was worn on Wednesday, included an inscription that said "Free Tibet."</p>

<p>"Free Uyghur," read the second, which was donned on Friday.</p>

<p>Kanter was photographed clutching the head of the cartoon character Winnie the Pooh in the most recent pair.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Despite Beijing blocking all Celtics games in the communist nation, Boston Celtics centre Enes Kanter maintained his pro-democracy activity Sunday night, tweeting images of his "Free China" game sneakers.

Despite Beijing blocking all Celtics games in the communist nation, Boston Celtics centre Enes Kanter maintained his pro-democracy activity Sunday night, tweeting images of his "Free China" game sneakers. “XI JINPING and the Chinese Communist Party Someone has to teach you a lesson, I will NEVER apologize for speaking the truth. You can NOT buy me. You can NOT scare me. You can NOT silence me. Bring it on!!” tweeted Kanter, who is Turkish and has a history of activism. XI JINPING and the Chinese Communist Party Someone has to teach you a lesson, I will NEVER apologize for speaking the truth. You can NOT buy me. You can NOT scare me. You can NOT silence me. Bring it on!! #FreedomShoes#XinnieThePooh pic.twitter.com/JFGEgIaXlN — Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) October 24, 2021 × Kanter wore the red-and-white sneakers on the bench during Sunday’s game at the Houston Rockets. Kanter, who did not participate in the game, has worn sneakers with an anti-China slogan for the third time in the last week. Also read | Modern Land: Another Chinese property developer defaults, shares drop The shoes were designed in collaboration with Badiucao, a Shanghai-born, Australia-based dissident cartoonist whose show in Hong Kong was cancelled in 2018. The first pair, which was worn on Wednesday, included an inscription that said "Free Tibet." "Free Uyghur," read the second, which was donned on Friday. Kanter was photographed clutching the head of the cartoon character Winnie the Pooh in the most recent pair. (With inputs from agencies)

Censored NBA player Enes Kanter wears ‘free China’ game shoes

<p>Boston Celtics games were abruptly pulled from the Chinese internet Thursday after a center on the team, Enes Kanter, said on social media that the country’s leader, Xi Jinping, was a “brutal dictator,” citing his government’s repressive policies in Tibet.</p>

<p>The incident could spell fresh trouble for the NBA in China. The league has millions of devoted fans there but has also just spent two years mending its image in the country after a Houston Rockets executive tweeted support in 2019 for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.</p>

<p>That tweet, by Daryl Morey, who now works for the Philadelphia 76ers, was quickly deleted, though not before setting off an uproar in China. Sponsors in the country severed ties and the state-run broadcaster stopped airing games, leading to financial fallout that the league estimated cost it hundreds of millions of dollars.</p>

<p>Geopolitical tensions and rising nationalism have made China a minefield for multinational companies, whose access to the country’s 1.4 billion consumers is often contingent on not taking the “wrong” stance on issues such as Beijing’s rule in Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/dear-brutal-dictator-xi-jinping-nba-player-slams-china-over-cultural-genocide-in-tibet-watch-422720">'Dear brutal dictator Xi Jinping...': NBA player slams China over 'cultural genocide' in Tibet - Watch</a></strong></p>

<p>An NBA representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p>

<p>In a video that was posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram on Wednesday, Kanter spoke into the camera for nearly three minutes and decried what he called a “cultural genocide” in Tibet.</p>

<p>“I say, ‘Shame on the Chinese government,’” he said, wearing a T-shirt with the image of the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing considers a criminal separatist. “The Chinese dictatorship is erasing Tibetan identity and culture.”</p>

<p>Another social media post by Kanter on Wednesday showed off sneakers emblazoned with Tibetan flag motifs and the words “Free Tibet.”</p>

<p>By Thursday, recent Celtics games were marked as unavailable for replay through Tencent, the Chinese internet giant that has partnered with the NBA to stream its games in the country. The website for Tencent Sports also indicated that upcoming Celtics games would not be livestreamed.</p>

<p>Tencent Sports has not been livestreaming games involving the 76ers, either. The team hired Morey last year as president of basketball operations.</p>

<p>A Tencent spokeswoman declined to comment.</p>

<p>On the Chinese social platform Weibo, a Celtics fan account declared that it would immediately stop posting about the team.</p>

<p>The account told its 615,000 Weibo followers: “Resolutely resist any behavior that damages national harmony and the dignity of the motherland!”</p>

<p>China considers Tibet part of its historical empire, although the authorities have long confronted protests against their rule there. The Communist Party under Xi has intensified efforts to defray ethnic tensions by encouraging the region’s residents to assimilate into Chinese society and making Mandarin Chinese the dominant language in public life.</p>

<p>Kanter, who is of Turkish heritage, has been an outspoken critic of Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkish prosecutors have sought Kanter’s arrest, and his Turkish passport has been revoked. He has expressed concern that Turkish agents might kill him overseas.</p>


Boston Celtics games were abruptly pulled from the Chinese internet Thursday after a center on the team, Enes Kanter, said on social media that the country’s leader, Xi Jinping, was a “brutal dictator,” citing his government’s repressive policies in Tibet.

Boston Celtics games were abruptly pulled from the Chinese internet Thursday after a center on the team, Enes Kanter, said on social media that the country’s leader, Xi Jinping, was a “brutal dictator,” citing his government’s repressive policies in Tibet. The incident could spell fresh trouble for the NBA in China. The league has millions of devoted fans there but has also just spent two years mending its image in the country after a Houston Rockets executive tweeted support in 2019 for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. That tweet, by Daryl Morey, who now works for the Philadelphia 76ers, was quickly deleted, though not before setting off an uproar in China. Sponsors in the country severed ties and the state-run broadcaster stopped airing games, leading to financial fallout that the league estimated cost it hundreds of millions of dollars. Geopolitical tensions and rising nationalism have made China a minefield for multinational companies, whose access to the country’s 1.4 billion consumers is often contingent on not taking the “wrong” stance on issues such as Beijing’s rule in Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang. ALSO READ | 'Dear brutal dictator Xi Jinping...': NBA player slams China over 'cultural genocide' in Tibet - Watch An NBA representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a video that was posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram on Wednesday, Kanter spoke into the camera for nearly three minutes and decried what he called a “cultural genocide” in Tibet. “I say, ‘Shame on the Chinese government,’” he said, wearing a T-shirt with the image of the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing considers a criminal separatist. “The Chinese dictatorship is erasing Tibetan identity and culture.” Another social media post by Kanter on Wednesday showed off sneakers emblazoned with Tibetan flag motifs and the words “Free Tibet.” By Thursday, recent Celtics games were marked as unavailable for replay through Tencent, the Chinese internet giant that has partnered with the NBA to stream its games in the country. The website for Tencent Sports also indicated that upcoming Celtics games would not be livestreamed. Tencent Sports has not been livestreaming games involving the 76ers, either. The team hired Morey last year as president of basketball operations. A Tencent spokeswoman declined to comment. On the Chinese social platform Weibo, a Celtics fan account declared that it would immediately stop posting about the team. The account told its 615,000 Weibo followers: “Resolutely resist any behavior that damages national harmony and the dignity of the motherland!” China considers Tibet part of its historical empire, although the authorities have long confronted protests against their rule there. The Communist Party under Xi has intensified efforts to defray ethnic tensions by encouraging the region’s residents to assimilate into Chinese society and making Mandarin Chinese the dominant language in public life. Kanter, who is of Turkish heritage, has been an outspoken critic of Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkish prosecutors have sought Kanter’s arrest, and his Turkish passport has been revoked. He has expressed concern that Turkish agents might kill him overseas.

Celtics games are pulled in China after Kanter’s pro-Tibet posts

<p>The National Basketball Association (NBA) player Enes Kanter on Wednesday (October 20) slammed Chinese President Xi Jinping and branded him as a "brutal dictator" over China's treatment of Tibet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taking to his social media accounts, the Boston Celtics center Kanter posted a nearly three-minute-long video wearing a T-shirt of the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader. In the&nbsp;caption,&nbsp;Kanter wrote, "Dear Brutal Dictator XI JINPING and the Chinese Government. Tibet belongs to the Tibetan people!"</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-lawmakers-push-for-closer-ties-with-taiwan-amid-rising-chinese-pressure-422626">EU lawmakers push for closer ties with Taiwan amid rising Chinese pressure</a></strong></p>

<p>In the video, Kanter said, "My message to the Chinese government is free Tibet. Tibet belongs to Tibetans. I'm here to add my voice and speak out about what is happening in Tibet. Under the Chinese government's brutal rule, Tibetan people's basic rights and freedoms are non-existent."</p>

<p>"There have been more than 5,000 political prisoners in Tibet the last 25 years. 5,000! Did you know that simply owning a photo of the Dalai Lama in Tibet is grounds for arrest. Even flying the Tibetan national flag could get you arrested. I say shame on the Chinese government. The Chinese dictatorship is erasing Tibetan identity and culture."</p>

<p><strong>Watch the video here:</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dear Brutal Dictator XI JINPING and the Chinese Government<br />
<br />
Tibet belongs to the Tibetan people!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeTibet?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreeTibet</a> <a href="https://t.co/To4qWMXK56">pic.twitter.com/To4qWMXK56</a></p>
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) <a href="https://twitter.com/EnesKanter/status/1450869180283203589?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>China claims that Tibet has long been part of its territory and that the military action was part of a "peaceful liberation" of the region. But human rights campaigners and exiles have accused China of religious repression, torture, forced sterilisation and cultural erosion through forced re-education.</p>

<p>"The cultural genocide in Tibet is so stifling that more than 150 Tibetan people have burned themselves alive, hoping that such a horrific act of sacrifice will raise awareness and attention towards the ongoing abuses within Tibet," the player said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also said that he cannot stay "silent" and will stand with Tibetan brothers and sisters as he supports their cause for freedom.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-new-west-asian-quad-to-tackle-china-422484/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The 29-year-old highlighted the point that the communist ideology of China has been around for only about 100 years, however, the Buddhist civilisation, ideology and philosophy have been around for thousands of years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Brutal dictator of China, Xi Jinping, I have a message for you and your henchmen. I will say it again, again and again, loud and clear. I hope you hear me," Kanter further added in the video message.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the other hand, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a news briefing on Thursday (October 21) that Kanter was "trying to get attention" and that his remarks "were not worth refuting". "We will never accept those attacks to discredit Tibet's development and progress," he said.</p>

<p>Kanter posted similar messages on his Instagram feed. On Wednesday, he wore shoes emblazoned with the phrase "Free Tibet' during the game against the New York Knicks made by Baidiucao.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVRLubYsCA2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVRLubYsCA2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVRLubYsCA2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVRLubYsCA2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Enes Kanter (@eneskanter11)</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The National Basketball Association (NBA) player Enes Kanter on Wednesday (October 20) slammed Chinese President Xi Jinping and branded him as a "brutal dictator" over China's treatment of Tibet.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) player Enes Kanter on Wednesday (October 20) slammed Chinese President Xi Jinping and branded him as a "brutal dictator" over China's treatment of Tibet. Taking to his social media accounts, the Boston Celtics center Kanter posted a nearly three-minute-long video wearing a T-shirt of the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader. In the caption, Kanter wrote, "Dear Brutal Dictator XI JINPING and the Chinese Government. Tibet belongs to the Tibetan people!" ALSO READ | EU lawmakers push for closer ties with Taiwan amid rising Chinese pressure In the video, Kanter said, "My message to the Chinese government is free Tibet. Tibet belongs to Tibetans. I'm here to add my voice and speak out about what is happening in Tibet. Under the Chinese government's brutal rule, Tibetan people's basic rights and freedoms are non-existent." "There have been more than 5,000 political prisoners in Tibet the last 25 years. 5,000! Did you know that simply owning a photo of the Dalai Lama in Tibet is grounds for arrest. Even flying the Tibetan national flag could get you arrested. I say shame on the Chinese government. The Chinese dictatorship is erasing Tibetan identity and culture." Watch the video here: Dear Brutal Dictator XI JINPING and the Chinese Government Tibet belongs to the Tibetan people!#FreeTibet pic.twitter.com/To4qWMXK56 — Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) October 20, 2021 × China claims that Tibet has long been part of its territory and that the military action was part of a "peaceful liberation" of the region. But human rights campaigners and exiles have accused China of religious repression, torture, forced sterilisation and cultural erosion through forced re-education. "The cultural genocide in Tibet is so stifling that more than 150 Tibetan people have burned themselves alive, hoping that such a horrific act of sacrifice will raise awareness and attention towards the ongoing abuses within Tibet," the player said. He also said that he cannot stay "silent" and will stand with Tibetan brothers and sisters as he supports their cause for freedom. × The 29-year-old highlighted the point that the communist ideology of China has been around for only about 100 years, however, the Buddhist civilisation, ideology and philosophy have been around for thousands of years. "Brutal dictator of China, Xi Jinping, I have a message for you and your henchmen. I will say it again, again and again, loud and clear. I hope you hear me," Kanter further added in the video message. On the other hand, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a news briefing on Thursday (October 21) that Kanter was "trying to get attention" and that his remarks "were not worth refuting". "We will never accept those attacks to discredit Tibet's development and progress," he said. Kanter posted similar messages on his Instagram feed. On Wednesday, he wore shoes emblazoned with the phrase "Free Tibet' during the game against the New York Knicks made by Baidiucao. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Enes Kanter (@eneskanter11) × (With inputs from agencies)

'Dear brutal dictator Xi Jinping...': NBA player slams China over 'cultural genocide' in Tibet - Watch

enes-kanter

Enes Kanter, News on Enes Kanter, stories on Enes Kanter, articles on Enes Kanter, Enes Kanter stories at Wion, Enes Kanter news, Enes Kanter latest news

enes kanter

Enes Kanter ejected from WNBA game amid transgender player controversy

Censored NBA player Enes Kanter wears ‘free China’ game shoes

Celtics games are pulled in China after Kanter’s pro-Tibet posts

'Dear brutal dictator Xi Jinping...': NBA player slams China over 'cultural genocide' in Tibet - Watch