With the NBA resuming the 2019-20 season in the midst of a huge Civil Rights movement that continues to gain momentum, it can be hard to focus on basketball for these players who all have a stake in that movement. However, they can also use their platform to the best of their ability to keep the message going.
In the case of Philadelphia 76ers guard Shake Milton, he used his platform in a big way on Sunday as he made a plea for justice in the case of Breonna Taylor who was killed while sleeping in her own home by police officers. No arrests have been made in the case and the Sixers have been loud in their disgust over no moves being made by Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron.
“I came here to just say to anybody out here watching or listening to me, keep fighting about what’s going on,” said Milton. “The iron right now is hot about what’s going on in this country. The racial injustices that are happening. I just wanted to say to Breonna Taylor’s family that we’re sorry that it’s taking so long. We know Daniel Cameron has the power so we need to keep pushing and to keep making his seat hot for him to make a decision.”
The Sixers took a knee along with their opponent–the Indiana Pacers–in peaceful protest during the National Anthem before their game on Saturday. Milton gave a sneak peek into what’s to come from the Sixers moving forward.
“The Sixers are putting together something,” he added. “We’re trying to educate people and then I think we’re going to break it down into pillars and hopefully, everybody gets to share something that’s important to them and what their why is. Along with educating people and putting that message out there, we’re going to give people tangible things that they can do for action. To make in their communities and take action. That’s our plan.”
Unfortunately, Taylor is far from the only case of police brutality. Milton wanted to let everybody know that he hasn’t forgotten about the other victims.
“I’m also going to say rest in peace to Breonna Taylor, rest in peace to Ahmaud Arbery, rest in peace to Kalief Browder as well so that’s all I have to say,” he added. [lawrence-related id=36035,36027,36017]