I and another 2 people who have been friends since grade school chat and talk almost everyday. We have our own Whatsapp group and we would usually talk about just normal happenings and our own lives.

Ever since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic as it is everywhere even they started talking about and I also joined in. However recent events in my country has turned this coronavirus thing to a political and racial issue and has become quite severe and dark so naturally the discussion of the topic was dark.

As seeing that these issues are mentioned everywhere I subtly just told my friends that we should change the topic and start talking about other stuff so that this could atleast be an escape, which they both shrugged off for no reason. I thought they would come around if given time.

However they still kept on talking for days and I finally couldnt take in no more that I stopped responding to the group. They both started calling me out in the group and through other mutual friends which pissed me off. I went to the group and apologized for my "rash" behaviour and then I explained to them in detail as to why we should try our best to spread good news and to talk more of other stuff instead of fixating on one issue and just getting riled up for no reason whatsover. After sometime both of them just continued their own talk while totally disregarding my thoughts and feelings regarding the issue being spoken. I promptly left the group and deleted their contact info.

we have previously had misunderstandings and have always found a way around it by communicating directly.

AITA for doing so or do I need new friends?