4:55 PM ET
Andrew LopezESPN
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri released a declaration Thursday afternoon in his first public comments given that video footage showed the altercation between Ujiri and a San Francisco-area constables deputy after the clinching game of the NBA Finals in 2015.
Ujiri starts the declaration by thanking everybody who has actually revealed “disappointment and concern” given that the video was released.
” The video sadly demonstrates how badly I was treated by a law enforcement officer last year in the middle of my team, the Toronto Raptors, winning its first world champion. It was an exhilarating moment of achievement for our company, for our players, for our city, for our country, and for me personally, offered my long-tenured professional journey in the NBA,” Ujiri writes.
” Yet, sadly, I was reminded because minute that regardless of all of my hard work and success, there are some individuals, including those who are expected to protect us, who will constantly and only see me as something that is unworthy of considerate engagement. And theres only one unassailable reason why that holds true– since I am Black.
Because Im the President of a NBA team, I had access to resources that guaranteed I might demand and fight for my justice. And thats why Black Lives Matter.”
” It shows why were supporting of the Black Lives Matter.” As a Black president in the NBA, as a Black man, its tough. As a Black person, you versus a white police officer, in this country, you understand, its difficult.
Due to the fact that Im the President of a NBA team, I had access to resources that guaranteed I could combat and require for my justice. And thats why Black Lives Matter.”
Ujiri ended up the declaration by stating its important to continue to require justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain and others.
On Tuesday, the day the new video footage was launched, Ujiri countersued the deputy, Alan Strickland, who is revealed on the video pushing Ujiri and telling him to “back the f– up” as Ujiri tried to access to the court.
Stricklands claim, which was filed in February, declared that Ujiri attacked him which as an outcome of the incident, he “suffered injury to his body, health, strength, individual and activity, all of which have caused and continue to trigger Plaintiff excellent psychological, emotional, mental, physical, and anxious discomfort and suffering.”
Ujiris countersuit, that includes the Raptors, the NBA and Maple Leaf Sports & & Entertainment as plaintiffs, states that Strickland falsified the encounter and tried to represent Ujiri as “the preliminary aggressor and a naturally violent person.” It calls Stricklands account “a complete fabrication” that has been contradicted by video footage.
The Raptors, who improved to 2-0 in the first round of the playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, watched the video footage as a team on Tuesday, according to players.
On Thursday, veterans Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka when again backed Ujiri in his battle.
” It [the video] shows why were supportive of the social [efforts] that are going on right now,” Lowry said.” It reveals why were supporting of the Black Lives Matter. It reveals why we need to get out there and vote. It shows why we require to get those men to detain the murderers of Breonna Taylor since theres authorities officers like that officer out there who are scumbags, generally.
Ibaka added that the circumstance was “unfortunate” because he felt like no one believed Ujiris side of the story at.
” As a Black president in the NBA, as a Black guy, its hard. As a Black person, you versus a white cop, in this country, you know, its difficult. Nobody is going to believe you,” Ibaka said.
No matter where you come from, no matter your color, things must never be like that. This linked us to comprehend this battle is far from being over. We have to stick together and we have to fight this fight together.”
