[jwplayer VwfnWxAP]
The tragic killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last Monday has sparked outrage and protests across the United States as his death highlighted yet another example of police brutality and racism.
Floyd was killed after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled into his neck for nearly eight minutes while in custody. Floyd can be heard in eyewitness videos pleading with the officer after he stated he could not breathe.
Chauvin was not initially charged in the death of Floyd but was fired the next day. He was eventually arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter on Friday, according to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
NBA players, like most citizens around the country, have spoken out against social injustice and racism following the death of Floyd. They have used their platform to demand a change and some even recently joined the peaceful protests around the U.S.
On Saturday, Philadelphia 76ers players Tobias Harris and Matisse Thybulle took part in a peaceful protest and march in their NBA market with other residents in the area.
Matisse and Tobias just passed us and boy do they stick out pic.twitter.com/HyhRFdXXs3
— Coderan (@StreamedHams) May 30, 2020
In addition to Thybulle and Harris, several other NBA players have taken part in protests, such as Jaylen Brown, Karl-Anthony Towns and Dennis Smith Jr.
[lawrence-related id=17883,17812,16946]
[vertical-gallery id=14282]