Unlike in the past, NBA players are now more outspoken about different social issues their countries are currently facing. With a lot of violence happening in the province of Catalonia in Spain, Pau Gasol and Marc Gasol used their platform and influence to raise awareness, and making it known that they are not in favor what’s happening in their hometown.

Both big men took to their Twitter accounts recently to call for their fellow Catalonians to avoid the use of violence, during the referendum on the independence of the province, and asking them to use logic, instead of allowing their emotions to get the better of them. Pau and Marc sent messages in Spanish, and condemned the unwanted incidents in Catalonia. They also called for common sense and humanity to rule over the minds of all people concerned, with the translation via Eurohoops.net.

“This is where we had to reach? Was violence necessary?”, wrote Pau.

Marc Gasol has made a similar comment: “Common sense and humanity above all else. The manifestation of peace cannot be treated with violence. ”

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This is not the first time athletes have spoken out against issues in their respective countries which concerns the lives of many, but with the Gasols being two of the most popular ones in all of Spain, they are hoping their message will be sent across immediately. Should it be a means to end the violence, they’ll prove that basketball is more than just a sport today, but also a platform to promote positive change, not just in the U.S. and Spain, but anywhere in the world.