The killing of Minnesota man George Floyd has set in motion protests around the country over police brutality. NBA players and coaches have made their voices heard, on the ground and through social media.
Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics drove 15 hours from Boston to his home state of Georgia to lead a peaceful protest in Atlanta. Brown utilized his social media platform for people to join him.
He was joined by Malcolm Brogdon of the Indiana Pacers, former first-round pick Justin Anderson, and rapper Lil’ Yachty. Brogdon played, and starred, at Greater Atlanta Christian.
“I drove 15 hours to get to Georgia, my community,” Brown said. “This is a peaceful protest. Being a celebrity, being an NBA player, don’t exclude me from no conversations at all. First and foremost, I’m a black man and I’m a member of this community. […] We’re raising awareness for some of the injustices that we’ve been seeing. It’s not OK.”
He also posted an image on Instagram holding a poster that read, “I can’t breathe,” echoing the words of Eric Garner, a man killed by police in New York in 2014.
“As a young person, you’ve got to listen to our perspective,” Brown said. “Our voices need to be heard. I’m 23 years old. I don’t know all of the answers, but I feel how everybody else is feeling, for sure. No question.”
Brown also posted a clip from Brogdon’s speech at the protest.
The death of Floyd, along with the death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, KY, has sparked nationwide protests against racial injustices. The sports world continues its reaction with teams and prominent athletes making their own statements.
“I got brothers, I got sisters, I got friends that are in the streets that are out here that haven’t made it to this level that are experiencing it, that are getting pulled over, just discrimination day after day, dealing with the same bull (expletive),” Brogdon said. “This is systematic. We don’t have to burn down our homes. We built this city. This is the mostly proudly black city in the world, in the world, man. Let’s take some pride in that. Let’s focus our energy. Let’s enjoy this together. This is a moment. We have leverage right now. We have a moment in time.”
Retired NBA player Stephen Jackson led a protest in Minneapolis along with the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Timberwolves produced a short video on Twitter, stating “We’re not gonna normalize this.”
George Floyd died after white police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for minutes. The event has sparked protests, both peaceful and otherwise, in cities across the U.S.
Jackson was a longtime friend of Floyd.
“I don’t have no more tears honestly,” Jackson said. “I’ve cried enough. I’ve cried enough. I’m here for one reason. For my brother’s honor.”
