A 12-year-old swimmer Leidy Gallona wore a Black Lives Matter swimsuit she designed for a swim competition in solidarity with 22-year-old Amir Locke, who was fatally shot by Minneapolis police serving a no-knock warrant. Then an independent volunteer official almost disqualified the swimmer, alleging that her swimsuit went against USA Swimming’s policy of no political language, according to WDIO News.

“The easy thing to do would’ve been to take the suit off, and she chose not to do that,” Lyons said. “She chose to stand up for what she thinks is right. It’s a proud mama moment for sure.”

“Black people that are getting killed, their lives matter because they were, their lives were taken from them. So I think it’s respectful to show that I matter; everyone that’s Black matters too,” Gallona explained.

Lyons contacted the head of the Duluth NAACP, that stood firmly in their support of her that day. They immediately called for the removal of the meet official. After a discussion with YMCA leadership, the. official’s decision was overruled, and Gallona was allowed to keep competing in the events.

In a statement issued Sunday, the YMCA confirmed removing the official and banning them from any future YMCA-sponsored events.

The statement said in-part, “The Duluth YMCA is saddened that the student, their family, and teammates had to endure this unacceptable behavior. The Duluth YMCA will continue our ongoing commitment to train all staff and volunteers on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Duluth Area Family YMCA is committed to being an anti-racist organization and stands with BIPOC communities throughout the Northland and throughout our country. We know that Black Lives Matter and we will continue to work to educate ourselves, to stand against inequality, and to strive to be active allies in the ongoing fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Read more:

Black correction officer mistaken for shoplifter files lawsuit against Walmart for ‘racial profiling’

Video footage shows lunchroom aide made a Black child eat food out of cafeteria trash

Georgia pastor and his wife arrested after eight people are found allegedly ‘imprisoned’ in the basement