In the months leading up to the Olympic trials, Berry and all the other athletes knew they could demonstrate peacefully without fear of punishment from the USOPC. “We were told that we will be introduced to the crowd, either before the playing of the national anthem or after the playing of the national anthem,” Berry said. I turned every which way, because I was so upset.”Gwen Berry on the podium at the US Olympic trials. If anything, it makes me more American, because I really want freedom and justice for everybody.”Before the trials, Berry signed with a new sponsor that supports her activism: Puma. This match was made by the nonprofit racial justice organization Color of Change.

Source: The Guardian July 16, 2021 08:30 UTC