Alonso vows to fight racial discrimination: 'I will not remain silent'

With protests and riots taking place all over the United States following the death of George Floyd in police custody, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso spoke out against racial discrimination Sunday.

"For the past couple of days, I've struggled to wrap my mind around what's happening," Alonso wrote on his Instagram story. "I have a voice and I will not remain silent.

"My heart has been broken over the murder of George Floyd. I will never know what it feels like to be discriminated against because (of) the color of my skin. To anyone who faces this type of discrimination, I will fight for you and be an ally. I will always stand with you. There needs to be justice and change made for the better of humanity. Let words be our sword and unity be our armor. Take care of each other."

Alonso's statement follows similar ones from other baseball players, including Chicago White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito, New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, and Washington Nationals reliever Sean Doolittle.

Floyd, a black man, died Monday in Minneapolis after white police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on the 46-year-old's neck for close to nine minutes. Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter Friday.