The latest sports teams to make a stand, or kneel, or just walk off, in a form of protest about social injustice, police brutality and other aspects of outrage in this country, were the players for the WNBA’s New York Liberty and the Seattle Storm on Saturday. And they were talking about Black women specifically and though you might not have been to that game, that video and the quotes below make a strong statement that can be heard.
As the national anthem was played, the @nyliberty and @seattlestorm walked off the floor as part of the social justice initiative. pic.twitter.com/VihH5X3Yzh
— ESPN (@espn) July 25, 2020
Per The New York Post:
Both teams left the court during the national anthem as a sign of peaceful protest and held a 26-second moment of silence for Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old black woman who was killed at her home by Louisville police. Each player also had Taylor’s name on the back of their jerseys.
“We are dedicating this season to Breonna Taylor, an outstanding EMT who was murdered over 130 days ago in her home,” Liberty player Layshia Clarendon announced at mid-court, alongside Storm star Breanna Stewart, before the opening tip-off at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. “Breonna Taylor was dedicated and committed to uplifting everyone around here. We are also dedicating this season to ‘Say Her Name” campaign, a campaign committed to saying the names and fighting for justice of black women – black women are so often forgotten in this fight for justice, who don’t have people marching in the streets for them. We will say her name. Sandra Bland. Atatiana Jefferson. Dominique Remy Fells. Breonna Taylor. We will be a voice for the voiceless.”
Let’s see how soon President Trump weighs in.