Basketball players in new protest over killing of Breonna Taylor
Women's NBA players voiced collective outrage on Thursday about the decision not to directly charge any police officers with the death of Breonna Taylor.
Taylor, a 26-year-old unarmed African American woman, was shot in her home by police officers with a warrant to search the property back in March. In light of her death, in July the WNBA players dedicated their season to Taylor, as well as the Say Her Name Campaign, a campaign committed to fighting for justice for black women.
When it was announced on Wednesday that a grand jury had only indicted one of three white police officers involved on a minor charge - not directly related to Taylor's death - consecutive days of protests broke out in Louisville, Taylor's home city.
On Thursday, the WNBA joined in voicing their own dismay and called for the public to register to vote in the presidential election this November.
"On behalf of the players I will share our collective statement," Minnesota Lynx guard Napheesa Collier said before her team's play-off semi-final loss against the Seattle Storm. "Our hearts are with Tamika Palmer [Taylor's mother], it’s been 195 days since her daughter Breonna Taylor was killed. 195 days and still today no one was charged with her death. We strongly support the sentiment expressed by the family of Breonna Taylor - the result is outrageous and offensive.
"We won’t stop pressing for full transparency and full justice. There are far too many questions left unanswered. Justice is on the ballot. Please register today and vote on or before November 3."
The players from both teams then all stood linking arms in a minute of silence, while pictures of Taylor were broadcast on a screen above the court.
Male players in the NBA voiced similar thoughts on Thursday night, with Lebron James addressing the decision after his Los Angeles Lakers team went 3-1 up in the Western Conference Play-off Finals. "The emotions are very high," he said. "We have a team-mate that’s from Louisville in Rajon [Rondo]. So as heavy as it’s been on us, it’s even heavier on him because that’s his hometown. I don’t want to get into the case or things of that nature, but I know that we lost a beautiful woman in Breonna that has no say in what’s going on right now. We want justice no matter how long it takes, even though it’s been so many days, so many hours, so many minutes for her family, for her community.
"We’re here playing this game and it’s very challenging on us and it’s very difficult, but at the same, time our hearts are with that family, with that city. It’s just so unjust what’s going on."
