August 16, 2021 - 14:01 AMT
NBA star receiving death threats after Armenian Genocide post

NBA star Enes Kanter, an American basketball player of Turkish descent, has raised awareness about the Armenian Genocide, dwelling on his own experience on the path to learning about the massacres. Immediately after posting a message on the cause, Kanter has been receiving death threats. "I am not scared," he said in a fresh message.

In the original post, Kanter said it's time to destroy all the walls and start building peace and bridges of love between the two countries – Armenia and Turkey.

“As part of my wish to stand up for human rights for all people, over the last few weeks I had a chance to meet several well-respected historians and scholars and it was eye opening to learn more about the Armenian Genocide and face my ignorance,” Kanter said on social media.

“The education system in Turkey is nationalist, biased and ignored millions of people’s sufferings. AT the point where I am today, I share the pain of millions of Armenians. I believe Turkey must face its past and present crimes. I also strongly believe that democracy will eventually come to Turkey one day and it will then bind up the wound of millions of people, including Armenians and other minorities."

The player also revealed plans to hold a basketball camp in Los Angeles “for Armenian brothers and sisters” in August, as a "first step for building peace and bridges of love between two beautiful countries."

Kanter shared in another tweet that he has been receiving death threats. "The amount of death threats I just got in the last 2 hours is crazy for telling the truth. I promised myself many years ago to stand up for human rights for all people," he said.

"I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for freedom, no matter who it is for or against. I am not scared."

Photo. AP