As nationwide civil unrest stemming from the killing of George Floyd continues, so continues the commentary from the Boston Celtics.
The protests, which began in response to an officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota’s decision to choke and kneel on the neck of Floyd for nearly nine minutes, spread from the midwestern city across much of the U.S. and even around the world as tensions over the killing have continued to rise.
Several Celtics have taken a direct role in the protests, such as shooting guard Jaylen Brown’s work organizing local, peaceful protests in the capital of his home state of Georgia, or guard Marcus Smart and center Enes Kanter’s participation in Boston-area demonstrations.
The leadership of Boston's Jaylen Brown in these times is no accident https://t.co/1xsIHrtqLC via @thecelticswire
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 2, 2020
At present, all players and several members of the front office have made some sort of comment in support of justice for George Floyd, and the organization issued a statement Sunday supporting their players on this issue.
Guard Brad Wanamaker has been vocal on this issue on social media, and expressed his satisfaction with seeing the groundswell of support coming from both within and without the Celtics organization concerning the protests.
Dope to see so many people come together, and continuously fight for what’s right!
— Brad Wanamaker (@phillybul_22) June 2, 2020
He also retweeted some comments from Golden State Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr on the spreading unrest and reasons behind it.
learned to work together to promote a better future, even when such a possibility seems bleak. By actively acknowledging & protesting the racism that has long defined our nation's history, the younger generation is providing the hope that we all need. Listen to them.
— Steve Kerr (@SteveKerr) June 2, 2020
Big man Vincent Poirier accompanied Smart in local protests Sunday, and shone a light to how events in solidarity were taking place around the globe, including in his native France.
RIGHT NOW IN PARIS AND OTHER CITIES IN FRANCE, PEOPLE ARE PROTESTING FOR ADAMA TRAORÉ WHOSE LAST WORDS WERE « I CAN’T BREATHE ». THEY ARE ALSO PROTESTINF FOR JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY.
✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿#BlackLivesMattter #JusticePourAdama #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/1uYCMdDMUp
— May ⁷ 🥐 (@FILTERMAY7) June 2, 2020
OMG. this is going to be in the books. Paris louder than ever #JusticePourAdama #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #BlackLivesMattter pic.twitter.com/MqvI5fr5wH
— ً (@seokjincaffe) June 2, 2020
Rookie Carsen Edwards shared a different perspective than some have been trying to frame the situation as:
It’s crazy how uncommon common sense is for some people smh. The message is pretty clear. It shouldn’t be black vs. whites, it should be everyone vs. racism!! #BLM
— Wheels (@_AaronWheeler_) June 1, 2020
Forward Grant Williams had plenty to say, whether on the concept of Black Lives Matter…
We said what we said…BLACK LIVES MATTER ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/fxORfl3hFU
— Christyn Williams (@christyn2000) June 3, 2020
Or how we can help, no matter our race.
Please donate to bail funds, demand and enact change where you can.
If you’re not Black, use your privilege to protect and advocate for Black people and have uncomfortable conversations with your family and friends
— Anna Cockrell (@AnnaCockrell48) June 1, 2020
Kanter continued sharing footage of protests:
#NBATogether 🖤 pic.twitter.com/dN9AkGgVG4
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) June 2, 2020
And his participation in them.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only LOVE can do that.” pic.twitter.com/rKPwH3Rwh9— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) June 2, 2020
Smart chose to share a powerful message on complicity:
🔥🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/0s6lk7timu
— marcus smart (@smart_MS3) May 31, 2020
As well as a sample of his words from an interview he conducted on the protests in Boston Sunday:
✊🏾 Despite Color or Gender ✊🏾
The truth is the truth and justice is justice and justice hasn’t been served.
We will continue to stand w George Floyd’s family including peacefully protesting. This must stop! (@ASherrodblakely interview) pic.twitter.com/jjhL1MjbyP— marcus smart (@smart_MS3) June 1, 2020
All-Star shooting guard Jayson Tatum shared this heart-rending video of Floyd’s daughter and friend and NBA champion Stephen Jackson:
Yes he did baby girl ❤️ https://t.co/pWQaETjBQN
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) June 3, 2020
As well as a simple but profound request:
“every cop isn’t bad” we all can agree to but I want the same energy and attention given to every BLACK man is NOT a threat!!
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) May 31, 2020
Brown shared a reminder from Martin Luther King Jr.’s son:
As my father explained during his lifetime, a riot is the language of the unheard.
— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) May 28, 2020
And made a statement about the inevitability of change:
Forward Gordon Hayward joined the rest of his teammates — to a man — with a blackout profile picture in solidarity:
#BlackoutTuesday pic.twitter.com/TR4PxYX0vc
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) June 2, 2020
Finally, fan favorite Tacko Fall left us with something important to consider:
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