[jwplayer gdDHAtNR]
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant on Sunday reacted to a press conference of Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth admitting he hasn’t seen the video of the shooting of Jacob Blake on Aug. 23.
The video, which was recorded by a bystander, shows Kenosha police officer Rusten Sheskey shooting Blake at least seven times in the back. Blake remains in stable condition, paralyzed from the waist down, according to his father and Ben Crump, his family’s attorney.
The footage of the shooting has been viewed millions of times online and on TV but Beth openly admitted on Friday that he has not seen it. After stating he had not seen the video, Beth was asked a follow-up question about not watching it, to which he responded by leaving the press conference.
stop all dat fuckin cappin . this shit is crazy. https://t.co/5uMCgLxcIp
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) August 30, 2020
Although Beth admitted he hadn’t watched the footage, citizens at the scene of the shooting on Aug. 23 appeared to pressure him into seeing it. Beth was handed a phone by a bystander and was seen watching a video before giving the phone back.
Oh look! HERES THE SHERIFF WATCHING THE DAMN VIDEO AT THE SCENE OF THE SHOOTING.
What a lying piece of scum.
— Malynda Hale (@MalyndaHale) August 29, 2020
The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin has called for the resignation of Beth following his handling of the shooting, which has sparked protests in the city and around the United States. Players on the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday protested playing following the shooting, which resulted in the NBA postponing the playoffs for three days.
The Bucks players took part in a call with Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes to discuss potential actions against the officers involved in the shooting. The group reportedly inquired about the investigation into Sheskey and the next steps the state will seek in bringing justice for Blake and his family.
The NBA and NBPA agreed to several conditions of resuming the season, including turning each NBA arena into a polling place in the general election. The two sides also created a coalition to help increase access to voting, promoting civic engagement and advocating for meaningful police and criminal justice reform.
[lawrence-related id=22054,22037,22002]
[vertical-gallery id=14282]