Milwaukee Bucks read statement on "racial injustices" to explain boycott
RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT
VIDEO SHOWS: MILWAUKEE BUCKS PLAYERS STERLING BROWN AND GEORGE HILL READ TEAM STATEMENT TO THE MEDIA FOLLOWING
THEIR DECISION TO BOYCOTT WEDNESDAY'S GAME AGAINST THE ORLANDO MAGIC
SHOWS: LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 26, 2020) (MILWAUKEE BUCKS - MUST COURTESY MILWAUKEE BUCKS. NO RESALE.)
1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MILWAUKEE BUCKS', STERLING BROWN, SAYING:
"The past four months have shed a light on the ongoing racial injustices facing our African American communities. Citizens around the country have used their voices and platforms to speak out against these wrong doings. Over the last few days in our home state of Wisconsin, we've seen the horrendous video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back seven times by a police officer in Kenosha, and the additional shooting of protesters. Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action. So, our focus today cannot be on basketball." (SOUNDBITE) (English) MILWAUKEE BUCKS' GEORGE HILL SAYING
"When we take the court and represent Milwaukee and Wisconsin, we are expected to play at a high level, give maximum effort and hold each other accountable. We hold ourselves to that standard, and in this moment, we are demanding the same from our lawmakers and law enforcement. We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake and demand the officers be held accountable. For this to occur, it is imperative for the Wisconsin State Legislature to reconvene after months of inaction and take up meaningful measures to address issues of police accountability, brutality and criminal justice reform. We encourage all citizens to educate themselves take peaceful and responsible action, and remember to vote on November 3."
STORY: The Milwaukee Bucks went before cameras on Wednesday (August 26) and read a team statement explaining their decision to boycott their playoff game against the Orlando Magic.
With the team standing behind them, forward Sterling Brown and point guard George Hill spoke on behalf of their teammates.
"The past four months have shed a light on the ongoing racial injustices facing our African American communities. Citizens around the country have used their voices and platforms to speak out against these wrong doings. Over the last few days in our home state of Wisconsin, we've seen the horrendous video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back seven times by a police officer in Kenosha, and the additional shooting of protesters. Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action. So, our focus today cannot be on basketball," Brown said.
"When we take the court and represent Milwaukee and Wisconsin, we are expected to play at a high level, give maximum effort and hold each other accountable. We hold ourselves to that standard, and in this moment, we are demanding the same from our lawmakers and law enforcement. We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake and demand the officers be held accountable. For this to occur, it is imperative for the Wisconsin State Legislature to reconvene after months of inaction and take up meaningful measures to address issues of police accountability, brutality and criminal justice reform. We encourage all citizens to educate themselves take peaceful and responsible action, and remember to vote on November 3," added Hill.
The U.S. National Basketball Association has postponed three playoff games scheduled for Wednesday after the Bucks announced the boycott.
The action by the Wisconsin-based team follows the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in the city of Kenosha, also in Wisconsin, on Sunday (August 23).
Following the team's announcement, the WNBA, the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team and the Seattle Mariners baseball team also cancelled games.
(Production: Peter Bullock)
