A number of current and former NBA stars took to social media to mourn and issue a call to action over the death of George Floyd, who died in police custody on Monday in Minneapolis.
Floyd was detained and handcuffed after police were called to the scene regarding a forgery complaint. A bystander video captured one of the officers on the scene kneeling on Floyd's neck, with Floyd complaining he was in pain and could not breathe. Floyd died shortly thereafter.
Members of the NBA community spoke out in response.
Former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade called for members of the public who are “unaffected” to show outrage.
JUSTICE WILL NOT BE SERVED UNTIL THOSE UNAFFECTED ARE AS OUTRAGED AS THOSE WHO ARE‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) May 27, 2020
Los Angeles Lakers legend and NBA icon Magic Johnson, meanwhile, asked “how many times do we have to see black men killed on national television?”
George Floyd was clearly murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. How many times do we have to see black men killed on national television? This has been going on for entirely too long. We need to start seeing black people as human beings and not animals on the street.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 27, 2020
Atlanta Hawks Trae Young said Floyd's death was “sickening and sad,” with fellow NBA All-Star and Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell sharing in that sentiment.
There is some things that go on in this world that are absolutely sickening & just sad😔
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) May 27, 2020
SICKENING!!! I HAVE NO WORDS MAN!!! https://t.co/vrFJAcRw55
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 27, 2020
Boston Celtics big man Enes Kanter, who has taken on systematic oppression in his home country of Turkey, implored Americans to do more in fighting racism. The veteran NBA center said the public must be anti-racist, rather than simply non-racist.
In a racist society it is not enough to be non-racist.
We must be ANTI-racist. pic.twitter.com/w1iS4jEdsU— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) May 27, 2020
Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap spoke about how the bystander videotaping the incident held the officers accountable, also alluding to the protests in Minneapolis on Tuesday night.
Over the airwaves we watch as loved ones are screaming at the gunfire’s red glare and a fake 911 call from the one breaking the law to those sworn to uphold the law is videotaped to preserve the innocent. Give us proof through this night season
— Paul Millsap (@Paulmillsap4) May 27, 2020
The officers at the scene were fired, but former NBA shooting guard Jamal Crawford said the penalty should be more severe.
It can't just be they got fired… Gotta be more.
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) May 27, 2020
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey asked for the kneeling officer to be charged on Wednesday, and President Donald Trump asked the FBI and Department of Justice to investigate Floyd's death.
At my request, the FBI and the Department of Justice are already well into an investigation as to the very sad and tragic death in Minnesota of George Floyd….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2020
Time will tell whether charges are brought against the officers in question. However, members of the NBA community are also assertive in saying Floyd's death is yet another example of the systemic and ugly racism in America.
Previously, Lakers star LeBron James and Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry reacted to the news and expressed their anger over the police brutality.
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