Sonny Bill Williams follows Mesut Ozil in support for Uygurs on social media
- Former All Blacks star writes that ‘it’s a sad time time when we choose economic benefits over humanity’
- Comments sure to anger Beijing after Arsenal midfielder was accused of being ‘deceived by fake news’ by Foreign Ministry
New Zealand’s dual-code rugby star Sonny Bill Williams has tweeted his support for the ethnically Muslim Uygurs in China in a tweet posted early on Monday.
“It’s a sad time when we choose economic benefits over humanity #Uyghurs”, Williams wrote. The message accompanied an image depicting Chinese oppression against the Muslim minority group, which is alleged to include millions being held in re-education camps.
The 34-year-old, who retired from the All Blacks after the Rugby World Cup in Japan earlier this year before last month signing a deal to return to rugby league with the Toronto Wolfpack, had posted about the Uygurs on December 19.
Williams converted to Islam in 2009 and was the first Muslim to represent the All Blacks. “I’m for justice no matter who it’s for or who it’s against and I’m for the truth no matter who speaks it,” is the description in his Twitter bio.
That initial December 19 tweet was just “#PrayforUyghur” hashtag and three emojis.
