American presenter removed from the air due to inappropriate name

Photo: Twitter

The ESPN sports television channel pushed Robert Lee from commenting on a football game at the University of Virginia because he was the namesake of the general of the Confederate army.

The decision was due to riots in Charlottesville, Virginia, where 12 August neo-Nazis held a torchlight procession, demanding that the demolition of the monument to General Robert Edward Lee be canceled, reports The Independent.

The channel’s management stated that the suspension was due to the reluctance to once again incite conflict in the city, the facilitator himself refused to comment on the situation.

Many social media users accused the channel of racism, explaining that Lee is one of the most common Asian surnames and calling the decision completely unfounded.

Li / Lee / Ly is 2nd most common Asian surname. 100 mill people @ESPN is crazy racist to pull asian-am Robert Lee

- IPledgeAllegiance (@muchmoresalt) August 23

So @espn pulled an announcer.

Robert Lee is the confederacy

- Charlie Kirk (@ charliekirk11) August 23

Hey @ESPN: Nice try, but the memes aren't mocking Robert Lee or his name. They're mocking YOUR stupidity and cowardice.

— ✌NotLeebuddie? (@lizbuddie) August 23

Robert Lee has been a sports commentator since 1999. The suspension decision applies exclusively to matches in Charlottesville, the presenter is already preparing to cover a football game at Youngstown State University, Ohio.

Recall, the protest against the demolition of the monument to Robert Lee in Charlottesville grew into disorderin which 15 people were injured. Later, in a rally against an ultra-right rally, a car drove into a crowd at high speed, leading to the death of a woman, another 19 man was injured.

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