The WNBA season began Saturday with a statement against racial oppression. Prior to the nationwide anthem being played before tip-off, Seattle Storm and New York Liberty gamers dropped their basketballs, strolled off the court and headed back to their particular locker spaces..
” Breonna Taylor was devoted and dedicated to uplifting everybody around her,” Clarendon said. “Were also committing this season to Say Her Name campaign, a campaign committed to saying the names and combating for justice for Black ladies, Black females who are so typically forgotten in this fight for justice, who do not have individuals marching in the streets for them.”
. @Layshiac and @breannastewart address the 2020 #WNBA season being dedicated to Breonna Taylor and the Black Lives Matter Movement. The match between the Storm and Liberty, which was relayed on ESPN, included the highly-anticipated expert debut of Sabrina Ionescu, who the Liberty chosen with the first-overall pick of this years WNBA draft. Ionescu scored 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the loss to the Storm.
Prior to Saturdays video game, the Liberty posted a video message with gamers requiring justice for Taylor: “A Black woman, child, sis, beloved,” they stated before recounting the information of Taylors case. “Its our turn to defend justice.”.
Numerous other sports leagues and gamers have followed similar actions in recent months..
Throughout the MLB season opener on Thursday night, gamers on the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees knelt during a moment of silence and held a long piece of black material in assistance of the continuous protests. The Tampa Bay Rays on Friday tweeted that opening day was “an excellent day to apprehend the killers of Breonna Taylor.”.
The matchup in between the Storm and Liberty, which was transmitted on ESPN, included the highly-anticipated expert launching of Sabrina Ionescu, who the Liberty chosen with the first-overall choice of this years WNBA draft. Ionescu scored 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the loss to the Storm. This years season was shortened by the coronavirus pandemic and will be played in a bubble at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida..
Correction: This story has been upgraded to show that the players left the court prior to the nationwide anthem was played, not while it was being played.
” We will state her name: Sandra Bland, Atatiana Jefferson, Dominique Remy Fells, and Breonna Taylor,” Clarendon stated. “We will be a voice for the voiceless.”.
The groups held a minute of silence for 26 seconds to represent the age Taylor was when she died..
When authorities utilized a no-knock warrant to enter her and her sweethearts house and opened fire, Taylor was asleep in her bed on the night of March 13 in Louisville. The police have actually stated they were searching for narcotics as part of a drug investigation, but according to a lawsuit from her family, no drugs were ever discovered.
Authorities stated they opened fire due to the fact that her partner, Kenneth Walker, had shot at them initially. In the suit, Taylors family states the officers never announced or identified themselves prior to going into the home, and Walker had contended them because he thought it was someone breaking in.
None of the 3 officers involved in Taylors death have actually been charged. One of the officers was fired from the Louisville police department..
Earlier this month, the league revealed that the 2020 season will be committed to raising awareness about social justice problems. The effort includes warm-up uniforms with the messages “Say her name” and “Black Lives Matter” and the production of a player-led Social Justice Council.
Prior to the season opener started, Liberty guard Layshia Clarendon and Storm forward Breanna Stewart resolved the Black Lives Matter movement and committed the season to Breonna Taylor, a Black emergency specialist who was killed by police in her house in March.
” Breonna Taylor was dedicated and dedicated to uplifting everybody around her,” Clarendon said. @Layshiac and @breannastewart address the 2020 #WNBA season being committed to Breonna Taylor and the Black Lives Matter Movement.
As the nationwide anthem was played, the @nyliberty and @seattlestorm strolled off the flooring as part of the social justice effort. pic.twitter.com/VihH5X3Yzh— ESPN (@espn) July 25, 2020.
