The length of the silence was a tribute to George Floyd, who passed away while in authorities custody on May 25. It was at first reported that a now-fired Minneapolis police officer had a knee on his neck for that length of time.
Black Players for Change was formed on Juneteenth (June 19) as The Black Players Coalition of MLS and recently altered its name.
Then as the beginners for the Orlando City and Inter Miami teams knelt there was silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.
More than 100 individuals took part in the pregame protest. The Black gamers were dressed in black t-shirts with slogans on them like “Silence is Violence,” “Black All The Time,” and “Black and Proud.” Their black face masks said, “Black Lives Matter.”
According to the
Tennessean paper, Toronto protector Justin Morrow said earlier in the day that the group wished to send out a message that the gamers are “defending our siblings and sis in this fight for racial equality and human rights.”
CNNs Homero De la Fuente added to this report.
MLS is holding a tournament for the leagues 26 groups– one group has had to drop out– as it goes back to action. All the gamers are staying in a main place under the leagues coronavirus protocols.
