Vaccine holdout Kyrie Irving blasts NYC for latest mandate development

Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving, one of the few high-profile athletes who have spoke out against COVID-19 vaccines and mandates, said New York City’s latest decision to keep part of their requirements in place amounted to a violation of human rights.

In response to New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ announcement Tuesday that he is ending the city’s private employer vaccine mandate but keeping the one for public employees in place, Irving tweeted that everyone should be free.

“If I can work and be unvaccinated, then all of my brothers and sisters who are also unvaccinated should be able to do the same, without being discriminated against, vilified, or fired,” Irving wrote.

“This enforced Vaccine/Pandemic is one the biggest violations of HUMAN RIGHTS in history.”

If I can work and be unvaccinated, then all of my brothers and sisters who are also unvaccinated should be able to do the same, without being discriminated against, vilified, or fired. ♾🤞🏾

This enforced Vaccine/Pandemic is one the biggest violations of HUMAN RIGHTS in history.

— A11Even (@KyrieIrving) September 20, 2022

Irving’s refusal to comply with New York City’s strict vaccine requirements limited him to only 29 games last regular season, according to the New York Post. He played six home games only after the city loosened its rules for unvaccinated athletes and entertainers in March.

The NBA player said Sunday on the Boyz Night Out podcast that his stand against vaccine mandates was bigger than him or the games he missed.

“I played 29 games, I barely played home games. It wasn’t a typical season I would have wanted. But things happen,” Irving said.

“I had to stand on a whole bunch of bigger stuff than just that.”

When Adams was asked about when the municipal mandate would be lifted, he responded that no end that was imminent, according to the New York Post.

Over 1,400 city employees were terminated in February because of the public worker mandate, reported WABC-New York.