24 hours after the firing of Dirty Kanza founder Jim Cummins by Life Time Fitness, Dirty Kanza leaders stated they stand by the decision.
In a social media post from Dirty Kanza leadership on the event’s Facebook page Sunday stated, “we are truly sorry for the hurt and emotional distress the events of the last few days have caused. Our cycling community is very diverse, and it’s one of the key factors that make us so unique and strong.” The post would go on to say that despite this, “we stand by our decision as a company and by our vision and values that aim to ensure everyone is accepted and supported.”
The post also stated that DK leadership and Life Time are “committed to taking action to ensure these values are upheld and continued to be centered on our work both as a brand and as an event.” In order to fulfill this commitment it was announced Life Time has developed a new Diversity and Inclusion Council which will be focused on action and making changes so “our company, clubs and events are a place for everyone.”
The message followed the shocking announcement Saturday that Cummins had been fired after finding himself in hot water following comments on a video from two years ago detailing an altercation between law enforcement and Daniel Clary who resisted arrest and shot an officer before escaping. Cummins told people to watch the video and unfriend him if they felt the shooting of Rayshard Brooks was not justified.
Brooks was shot dead in Atlanta earlier this month after failing a field sobriety test, resisting arrest, grabbing an officer’s taser and firing it at least twice before he was shot three times in the back.
KVOE has reached out to Cummins and DK leadership for further comments on the situation.
Along with the statement’s on Cummins’ firing, the post also addressed the recent scrutiny the Dirty Kanza has received from some Native Americans who claim the event’s name is a racial slur against the Kaw Nation. Dirty Kanza stated the name was not created with any ill intent, and despite working with and gaining support from Kaw Nation leadership, the organization is currently in the process of working on a name change for the annual event.
DK promotions says this process will “take time” and assure everyone that they will be continuously updating everyone on their progress as the process evolves.
You can view the full statement issued Sunday below.
Statement from Dirty Kanza Promotions on the firing of Jim Cummins and potential name change
