Former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan has written a hard-hitting statement in which he discusses the need for people to come together and enact change after the death of George Floyd, an African-American, by a white police officer in Minneapolis.

Floyd’s death has sparked mass protests in the United States and Jordan, who is often quiet on political matters, decided that now was the time to speak up.

“I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry,” Jordan’s statement read, which was posted on the Jordan brand’s Twitter, as well as that of the Charlotte Hornets, the NBA franchise he owns.

“I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration.

“I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of colour in our country. We have had enough.

“I don’t have the answers, but our collective voices show strength and the inability to be divided by others.

“We must listen to each other, show compassion and empathy and never turn our backs on senseless brutality.

“We need to continue peaceful expressions against injustice and demand accountability.

“Our unified voice needs to put pressure on our leaders to change our laws, or else we need to use our vote to create systemic change.

“Every one of us needs to be a part of the solution, and we must work together to ensure justice for all.

“My heart goes out to the family of George Floyd and to the countless others whose lives have been brutally and senselessly taken through acts of racism and injustice.”