GoFundMe Page for Suspended Police Officer Who Mocked LeBron James Has Raised Nearly $500,000
A GoFundMe page started by a friend of Deputy Nate Silvester in support of the suspended officer has raised over $489,000 as of May 6th, 2021.
As of Thursday morning, the account has raised over $489,000.
Deputy Officer Nate Silvester of Bellevue Idaho posted a viral video on TikTok mocking NBA superstar LeBron James in response to the activists recent tweet at Columbus Police Officer Nicholas Reardon.
Silvester posted a video in jest of him pretending to have a conversation with the infamous basketball star while responding to a hypothetical police call.
“You don’t care if a Black person kills another Black person, but you do care if a white cop kills a Black person, even if he’s doing it to save the life of another Black person?”
Silvester continued on, “I mean it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but then again, you are really good at basketball, so I guess I’ll take your word for it.”
The Post Millennial shared the viral video on Twitter where it has amassed over 370,000 views. The video has been viewed millions more on various other platforms and accounts.
While the video was a viral sensation in conservative and police circles, the Bellevue Marshal’s Office was not appreciative of the added press and controversy surrounding their office.
“The Bellevue Marshal’s Office is aware of the extreme controversy regarding Deputy Marshal Silvester’s viral TikTok. The statements made do NOT represent the Bellevue Marshal’s Office. The Bellevue Marshal’s Office always demands that our Deputies engage with our citizens in a friendly and professional manner. This is NOT how we expect our Deputies to act on duty or use city time. This is a personnel issue that is being dealt with internally.”
Gannon Ward, a friend of Officer Silvester said he created the GoFundMe page to help out his, “friend Nate due to his suspension without pay over a viral TikTok.”
Silvester reportedly plans to distribute a large portion of the almost $500,000 to the law enforcement community.
Officer Silvester released a video thanking his supporters on YouTube:
“Americans still love their police officers, they still love their men and women in blue, and you guys have made that resoundingly clear” the proud officer stated in his video.
The NBA has not yet issued any form of punishment to LeBron James over his tweet which could have potentially incited violence against police officers.
Do you support the police officer’s freedom of speech? Should he be suspended for mocking LeBron James while on duty? Comment your thoughts below!