Jemele Hill was previously let off with a warning for speaking out on social media. (Mpu Dinani/Getty Images)
Twitter users are rallying to #StandWithJemeleHill after ESPN suspended the SportsCenter anchor Monday, Oct. 9. This is the second time the Disney-owned network has reprimanded Hill for violating its social media rules (although it hasn’t said which one was broken). After getting off with a warning a few weeks ago, Hill won’t be on air for two weeks and a non-profit organization is calling for her reinstatement.
On Sunday, Oct. 8, Hill tweeted that Dallas Cowboys players shouldn’t be disciplined for protesting. Rather, Hill said an even bigger statement can be made about owner Jerry Jones’ demand that players stand for the anthem — boycott team advertisers.
Don't ask Dak, Dez & other Cowboys players to protest. A more powerful statement is if you stop watching and buying their merchandise.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
Or, how about not patronizing the advertisers who support the Cowboys? You can watch and do that, right? https://t.co/duPNqxFta7
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
This play always work. Change happens when advertisers are impacted. If you feel strongly about JJ's statement, boycott his advertisers. https://t.co/LFXJ9YQe74
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
If you strongly reject what Jerry Jones said, the key is his advertisers. Don't place the burden squarely on the players. https://t.co/Gc48kchkuv
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
Hill later clarified that she was not advocating for an NFL boycott, as some have reported.
Just so we're clear: I'm not advocating a NFL boycott. But an unfair burden has been put on players in Dallas & Miami w/ anthem directives.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
If fans really are that upset about what JJ & Stephen Ross have done, don't call the players sellouts, but you're watching every Sunday.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
Following the suspension, many — including celebs and non-celebs alike — have been tweeting their support for the outspoken anchor.
She doesn't work for the NFL. Also, providing an opinion about WHAT WORKS is not organizing a boycott. #standwithJemele https://t.co/K5AHHIMHrC
— A N G E L A | R Y E (@angela_rye) October 10, 2017
@jemelehill as a woman in sports journalism, I’ve always admired you. Your candor is what the world needs more of. ✊🏾 #StandWithJemeleHill
— Aitrop (@iPorshhh) October 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/cthagod/status/917725203114770432
@espn I stand with @jemelehill because she's speaking truth when so many others are afraid to rock the boat. #StandWithJemeleHill pic.twitter.com/wMaFoBl2nT
— Sandra Kearns (@Kearns_SL) October 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/rapsody/status/917595813429301248
I guess freedom of speech is another liberty we don't have anymore #StandWithJemele pic.twitter.com/LFKzt5u2dM
— DarnellP (@DarnellP1783) October 10, 2017
Color of Change, a civil rights organization co-founded by Van Jones, is urging the public to contact ESPN over Hill’s suspension.
You can support @JemeleHill by calling @ESPN right now and demanding they reinstate her. #IStandWithJemele https://t.co/DzjXPFJPHH
— ColorOfChange (@ColorOfChange) October 10, 2017
“This is clearly an attempt to appease [Donald] Trump and his racist base after other Black ESPN hosts stopped ESPN from suspending Hill last month when she called Trump a ‘white supremacist,’ the organization wrote.
Jemele Hill’s Wild Ride with Politics and ESPN
ESPN Suspends Anchor Jemele Hill for Breaking Alleged Social Media Rules
Trump Demands ESPN Apologize for Jemele Hill Tweet Calling Him a ‘White Supremacist,’ ‘Bigot’
ESPN Distances Itself from Anchor Jemele Hill’s Tweets Calling Trump a ‘White Supremacist’
It also noted that Jerry Jones is a Trump supporter, as many media outlets have reported.
In the midst of it all, a divide has also emerged among folks who never want Hill on ESPN again…
Jemele Hill is a loose cannon.
She deserves to be fired, not suspended.#JemeleHill #ESPN
— #ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) October 9, 2017
She should have been fired twice now. Any other workplace in America and she’s a goner. Words and actions have consequences.
— Jon Fisher (@Baseballdad1973) October 10, 2017
Two week slap is not enough. Jemele Hill needs to be fired.
ESPN – 1 (888) 549-3776#TuesdayThoughts #JemeleHillhttps://t.co/27LZ3wH7SF
— Arch Kennedy (@ArchKennedy) October 10, 2017
… and others who want Hill to return to the SC6 desk.
Will not be watching any @espn programming and will tell everyone I know to do the same until Jemele Hill is reinstated. #StandWithJemele
— Darnell Moses (@darnell_moses) October 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/mcowan252/status/917510350412578817
#morningjoe #morningjoe Call espn corporate to leave a statement demanding Jemele Hill be reinstated 818-560-1000
— Janet #IHonortheGodWithinYou (@janetika1) October 10, 2017
