Unvaccinated NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving sidelined, sparking protests

The NBA’s Brooklyn Nets said seven-time All-Star Kyrie Irving won’t be allowed to play because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19. Sunday’s Nets game was filled with fans protesting not just Irving’s sidelining but also vaccine mandates. Irving did not attend the game, and protests outside the Barclays Center forced a brief closure of the arena.

Some, like BlazeTV’s Jason Whitlock, believe electing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 should be a personal choice without employment consequences.

Do not miss today's episode of #Fearless. It was wild, emotional, bold, fearless, passionate. In this clip, I defend @KyrieIrving pic.twitter.com/qFZ2OZsZHF

— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) October 20, 2021

Others, like “Inside the NBA” analyst Charles Barkley, contend getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is too important to protecting families and communities to pass up.

Charles Barkley on Kyrie Irving not being allowed to play without the vaccine: “You don’t get vaccinated just for yourself. You get vaccinated for your family .. for your teammates .. I’m really proud of the Nets for putting their foot down .. And don’t compare anyone to Ali.” pic.twitter.com/2cjN547hDS

— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) October 20, 2021

More demonstrations followed Sunday’s protest at the Barclay’s Center. On Monday, New York City municipal employees marched across the Brooklyn Bridge in protest of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The march was billed as an anti-mandate protest on behalf of nearly 50,000 NYC employees who have yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19.