Players from two NBA teams got on their knees during the national anthem Wednesday night after a day of civil unrest in Washington shook the country and Kenosha prosecutors’ decision not to file charges against police officers involved in the Jacob Blake shooting.
Most Miami Heat and Boston Celtics players opted to round out in solidarity before facing off against each other.
Heat and Celtics players kneel during the national anthem
(via @IraHeatBeat)pic.twitter.com/zuwsJNKmQz
– Tier report (@BleacherReport) January 7, 2021
In a joint statement, the two teams expressed their initial hesitation to play the match given the events of the day, but eventually decided to do so “to try to bring joy to people’s lives.”
– Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 7, 2021
“We play tonight’s game with a heavy heart after yesterday’s decision in Kenosha, and knowing that the protesters in our nation’s capital are treated differently by political leaders depending on which side of certain issues be treated, ”the statement said.
“The drastic difference between the way last spring and summer protesters were treated and the encouragement given to today’s protesters who acted illegally only demonstrates the amount of work we have to do.”
Both teams vowed to remain vocal about what they perceive as wrongdoing.
“We must not forget the injustices of our society and we will continue to use our voices and our platform to highlight these issues and do our best to work for a more egalitarian and just America.”