UConn basketball players released a statement of solidarity on Sunday, expressing their support for people protesting racial injustice across the country and condemning police brutality.
For days, people nationwide have been protesting police violence and the deaths of George Floyd, a black man who died Monday after a white Minneapolis police officer held his knee on his neck for almost nine minutes; Breonna Taylor, who Louisville police shot and killed in her own apartment in March; and Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot and killed while jogging in February. Protesters are demanding justice for those killed and the arrests of those involved.
The Huskies are among many in the sports world — although, not enough people — showing their support for anti-racism action “because we are tired of innocent black lives dying at the hands of police officers who do not care about our humanity,” they wrote, in part, in their statement. Like activists and other athletes, they also put the protests into a historical context to highlight that these protests are not solely about Floyd but also about “the 400 years of oppression that black people have been subjected to in America.”
Others who recently have spoken out against racial injustices and in support of protestors include Colin Kaepernick — who initially took a knee to peacefully protest police brutality and is now paying for protesters’ legal fees in Minneapolis — LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, JJ Watt and Joe Burrow.
Additionally, the UConn women’s team’s statement called out people who are not black and not vocal, describing their silence “the biggest betrayal right now.”
— UConn Women's Hoops (@UConnWBB) May 31, 2020
Here is their full statement:
As a team we are hurting. We feel responsible for speaking out and advocating for our black community and the injustices we face. Racism is not getting worse, it’s getting filmed, and more people are becoming aware of the 400 years of oppression that black people have been subjected to in America.
We are nauseated by the social injustice and police brutality that is reoccurring toward the black community. So yes, we kneel during the national anthem. Yes, we are rioting. And yes, we are protesting because we are tired of innocent black lives dying at the hands of police officers who do not care about our humanity.
For those who are not black, silence is the biggest betrayal right now. The hardest part is watching our friends who are not of color not even question what is happening right now. It’s time for us to start preaching togetherness, justice, and love amongst one another.
We are proud to be a team made up of diverse women who will never stop pushing for the most basic human rights for our people. Standing up, fighting for what you believe in, and bringing attention to these injustices is the only way it will progress.
As a team, we are here. We are listening. We are woke.
#BlackLivesMatter
The Huskies’ powerful statement echoes similar sentiments expressed by those in sports who have spoken up.
San Jose Sharks left winger Evander Kane insisted white professional athletes, like Tom Brady and Sidney Crosby, to utilize their platforms to fight systematic racism. Eric Reid and Steve Kerr were among the many who called out Vice President Mike Pence’s hypocritical statement about peaceful protests. Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown marched with protesters in Atlanta on Saturday. Borussia Monchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram took a knee on the field after scoring a goal in a Bundesliga match Sunday in an apparent statement of solidarity.