Breanna Stewart, the 22-year-old WNBA Rookie of the Year, is making the most of her time in Los Angeles. Stewart is currently back in the U.S. rehabbing a knee injury she sustained while playing in China. While in LA, Stewart took an opportunity to go to the recent protest at LAX regarding the travel ban put into place late last week. The ban currently keeps refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim countries from entering the U.S. at LAX airport.
WNBA’s Breanna Stewart protests travel ban at LAX, says she ‘wanted to be on the right side of history’
While it was Stewart’s first protest, she is not afraid to speak out on social issues.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
“I have been following the news closely and just felt compelled to join. I think we will look back on this moment and remember where we were and I wanted to be on the right side on history.” Stewart told Excelle Sports.
Stewart also said, “I am still learning about all the issues, but believe fundamentally that when you have a voice, it’s important to use it for good. With great privilege, comes great responsibility and I understand the need for people who can speak up to do so. It’s important to stand up for what is right.”
While the WNBA has many international players, many players also travel overseas to play in the offseason. The WNBA has not made an official statement, but Stewart’s team, the Seattle Storm, did.
This isn’t the first time Stewart has spoken up about civil rights issues. Stewart recently was one of many athletes to sign an open letter to FIBA regarding its hijab ban. Stewart also participated in the Black Lives Matter protest, along with many other WNBA teams last season.
Other WNBA players have participated in marches lately, including Briann January of the Indiana Fever. January walked in the Women’s March in Washington D.C. early in January.
