Poker players on social media have spent much of the past few days passionately debating the racial injustice protests. And, stop us if you’ve heard this one before, but poker Twitter has turned a bit sour.
While some poker fans support the protests, even the violent ones, others stand on the side of law enforcement. Or, at least oppose those who aren’t protesting peacefully. Even Daniel Negreanu, never someone known to be at a loss for words, seems to have reached his limit, tweeting “I don’t even know what to say.”
I don’t even know what to say.
I’ve crafted four tweets on what is happening in America right now but ultimately realized any tweet I post on the issue will fill my timeline with anger and hatred.
It feels pointless to try.
People are dug in. 🤷♂️
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) May 30, 2020
Americans have protested all over the country in response to George Floyd’s death. Floyd, a 46-year-old African American, died while in police custody. Derek Chauvin, the police officer who was seen on video forcibly pressing his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, has been charged with third-degree murder. Three other Minneapolis police officers who were on the scene of the arrest, and who apparently did nothing to assist Floyd, who repeatedly told officers that he could not breathe, are under criminal investigation, but have not been charged in Floyd’s death.
Many of the protests sparked by Floyd’s death, including those outside of Las Vegas casinos, have been peaceful. But the looters and rioters mixed in these crowds have drawn the ire of some poker players.
Poker Community Sounds Off on Protests
The protests are an acceptable response to police brutality, if you ask some poker fans. Others, however, believe the protests are unnecessary or should be done peacefully.
David “Bakes” Baker, not to be confused with David “ODB” Baker, sides with the protesters. Following President Trump’s Monday address to the nation, he writes: “The president just endorsed [the] use of the military on protestors. If you don’t stand against him your finger is on the trigger.” To which Mike Matusow, who opposes the protesting, responded, “Bakes it out of his mind!” Matusow also took shots at “liberal p*****s” and referred to the protesters as “anarchists.”
Todd Brunson asked a rhetorical question while spreading an unproven conspiracy theory at the same time.
How happy in George soros right now?
— Todd Brunson (@ToddBrunson) May 30, 2020
George Soros is a billionaire Democratic mega-donor who has been the subject of numerous right-wing conspiracy theories.
“People work hard, some start their own businesses to provide for their families. After working hard they try to enjoy vacations to relax after putting in the hard work. Life is short. These bums looting, burning & stealing other people’s property don’t believe in that way of life,” Mike Dentale, an avid Trump supporter wrote.
Justin Bonomo, who self-identifies as a progressive Bernie Sanders supporter, sides with the protesters and believes those who don’t stand up for the protesters are “on the wrong side of history.”
In 1968, 75% of Americans disapproved of MLK
Nothing has changed. Don't be on the wrong side of history
Support those protesting for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Always.
— Bonologic (@JustinBonomo) May 31, 2020
Brian Hastings, an anti-Trumper, used Trump’s response to the protests as a springboard to mock the president’s “Transition to Greatness” plan for reopening America post-coronavirus.
Which step of the transition to greatness is shooting citizens for property crimes?
— Brian Hastings (@brianchastings) May 29, 2020
Although the poker community doesn’t agree on much related to the George Floyd protests, there is one thing they do seem to agree on; most seem to believe officer Chauvin unjustifiably killed Floyd.
