UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones spent part of his Monday restoring his community after damage caused during a George Floyd protest Sunday in Albuquerque, N.M.
In a series of Instagram story posts and Instagram live streams, Jones was seen cleaning up broken glass, vacuuming and encouraging businesses who need help to reach out to him.
“All right, it’s time to put in some work,” Jones said while exiting a vehicle along with a group of individuals wearing Jackson Wink MMA-labeled gear. “(We’ve) got a nice little crew of guys – volunteers that are going to (help out). … You guys ready to do some work? Let’s get it. Let’s see if we can find something to clean up. If you guys need help with your small businesses, we’re here. Hit us up. We’ll be here all day. Time to work.”
Lots of work to do out in the streets today men. If you’re a real one, call your boys and get to work. #merica
pic.twitter.com/P5MC43lGmR
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 1, 2020
Soon after, Jones’ account went live on Instagram. The stream showed Jones and others cleaning up a local law office, Ewing Law Office, Ltd., which apparently was damaged. When asked for a message to share with his audience, Jones said he understands people’s frustration but asked they don’t damage their communities as a result.
“I’m not really sure how this helps anything, guys,” Jones said. “… I’m all for protests. I think it’s great to protest and voice how you feel about things. It’s really important, but … this is just not right. Vandalism is just not right.”
Monday’s community efforts weren’t Jones’ first pertaining to damage caused by protests. A video posted by Jones showed him snatching a pair of spray paint canisters from would-be vandals downtown.
Sunday’s protest was one of hundreds held all across the U.S. The civil unrest stems from the killing of Floyd by Minneapolis police officer David Chauvin. Floyd’s death was captured on video and shows Chauvin, who’s white, kneeling on the African-American man’s neck for nearly nine minutes.
Jones was among the first prominent professional athletes last week to express his outrage after viewing the footage that went viral on social media.
Jon Jones cleans up Albuquerque after George Floyd protest: 'Vandalism is just not right'
