The fight for racial equality in America continues!
The police shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man in Kenosha, Wisconsin has sparked a lot of tension with human rights activists. Blake was multiple times in his back at the hands of the police while his young children watched. Luckily Blake survived the attack, but his father said his son is paralyzed.
During a protest last night in Kenosha, a gunman opened fire and killed two people. At the time, the police did not arrest the individual and passed him. Today (August 26), the shooter has been identified as 17-year-old, Kyle Rittenhouse of Antioch, Illinois, and he was arrested and charged with first-degree intentional homicide.
To demand more attention to the story, the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors are considering boycotting tomorrow’s game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series. USA Today reports the Raptors’ coach Nick Nurse confirmed players from both of the teams met last night (August 25) to discuss their options. Nurse said,
“Boycotting the game has come up to them to demand a little more attention. It is ongoing discussions. I think it is one (on) the table. There’s some other ideas on the table as well.”
Nurse also said some players are thinking about leaving the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida. Celtics coach Brad Stevens said,
“Each individual we support 110 percent. This is not easy from the standpoint of being down here, and we totally understand everybody’s reaction to what’s going on outside of here to do more and desire to not play or desire to leave. It’s up to each individual. We’re here to support them … It’s bigger than basketball.”
Jayson Tatum from the Celtics said teammates are trying to figure out the best move that will have the “most impact.”
“People are upset and angry and we’re just trying to come together and figure out a way how we can do something. Obviously, people are going to say, ‘Sitting out, what is that going to do?’ Honestly, if we sit out out a game or the rest of the playoffs, we understand how big of impact that would have. Everybody’s going to have to talk about it, continue to raise awareness.”
“We don’t want to just keep playing and forget what’s going on in the outside world because it’s affecting us. It’s affecting everybody, and we’re more than just basketball players. We’re people. We have these raw emotions.”
Pascal Siakam of the Raptors speaks out:
"A lot of things that are way bigger than basketball going on."
– @Pskills43 pic.twitter.com/ZwR7otoOns
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) August 26, 2020