Indiana Fever to show sign of unity during national anthem this weekend

Indiana Fever players are expected to lock arms with opposing players during the national anthem in their upcoming WNBA games this weekend, the team announced on its website. The demonstration will be a show of unity against bigotry, hate and racism in the wake of a white nationalist protest protecting a Confederate statue in Charlottesville, Va.

The Fever join the Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm as teams that similarly locked arms during the national anthem during their respective games. Indiana plays against Minnesota on Friday at 8 p.m. ET and Washington on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET.

WNBA players join NBA and NFL players who have also used their platform to create awareness around social issues in America.

On Friday, DeMarcus Cousins told TMZ Sports about confederate statues: “[They should] take all them motherf——s down.” Kevin Durant said if the Warriors are invited, he will skip out on The White House visit after winning an NBA championship because he doesn’t respect who’s in office. And Malcolm Brogdon — a University of Virginia graduate — called the acts in Charlottesville “white supremacy” and “domestic terrorism.”

Raiders RB Marshawn Lynch sat and Seahawks LB Michael Bennett will sit while the national anthem plays through the NFL season. Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem last season, but has yet to find a job after becoming a free agent. And while a group of Titans players raised their fists during the national anthem last season, DaQuan Jones fears continuing to do so could affect his employment in the future.

The WNBA, however, backed its players and encouraged those to use their platform to spark conversation around the issues that plague the country.

“We fully support our players, who are offering a demonstration of unity that we hope America can emulate in the wake of the tragic events in Charlottesville,” WNBA President Lisa Borders said in a statement. “We offer our sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones and our support to those who were injured during the inexcusable violence that transpired.”