WNBA players are choosing not to take the court for a second day in a row following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man in Kenosha, WI who was shot seven times in the back by local authorities. WNBA players are not calling it a strike or boycott, but a day of reflection and call to action after the basketball world stopped on Wednesday and demanded accountability for the disproportionate use of deadly force against Black Americans .
WNBA players joined together to protest police brutality after postponing more games
The WNBA is continuing its protest for change into a second night.
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Players appeared on SportsCenter locking arms while wearing black t-shirts that read “Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor.” WNBA players continue to be out front in the movement for social justice.
The WNBA players decided to sit out on Wednesday in solidarity with a movement started by the Milwaukee Bucks, who chose not to take the court against the Orlando Magic. WNBA players created a powerful moment later in the day when they appeared on TV wearing white shirts that spelled out Blake’s name.
On the back of the shirts was seven dot to signify the number of bullets fired into his back by police officers.
Washington Mystics guard Ariel Atkins also gave a moving speech on ESPN following the players’ decision not to play. Atkins spoke about the need for Black children to see that their lives matter and be given an opportunity to grow up and accomplish their dreams.
“Just because we are basketball players doesn’t mean that’s our only platform. When most of us go home, we’re still Black.”
WNBA players and coaches held a candlelight vigil on Wednesday to talk about their emotions and how they can continue to support the movement for significant police reform.
Players have been continuing to speak out on social media:
See More:
