Retired NBA small forward Stephen Jackson has been a recognizable face among protests denouncing the lack of police accountability during countless deaths of people of color while in law enforcement detainment. Jackson, 42, was a friend of Houston native George Floyd, the latest African-American fatality in police custody when the Minneapolis resident asphyxiated under the knee of an officer of the law last week.
Jackson will reportedly plan on acting as a surrogate father for Floyd's daughter, Gianna, following his friend's departure. Per CBS News' Victoria Albert:
“He will never see her grow up, graduate, he will never walk her down the aisle. If there's a problem she's having and she needs her dad, she does not have that anymore.'
Jackson added he plans to remain close with her:
“There's a lot of stuff you said that he's gonna miss — that I'm gonna be there for. I'm gonna walk her down the aisle. I'm gonna be there for her. I'm gonna be here to wipe your tears. I'm gonna be here for you and Gigi. Floyd might not be here, but I'm here for her, I'm here to get justice, and we're gonna get justice for my brother.”
Protests have broken out across the nation in response to a consistent failure to charge police officers who are involved in killings of U.S. residents, especially people of color. The officer involved in Floyd's death was dismissed from the force and currently awaits third degree murder and manslaughter charges. Many NBA players, such as Boston Celtics swingman Jaylen Brown, have been visible at demonstrations in several cities.
Jackson appeared in Minneapolis last week with, among others, Minnesota Timberwolves star center Karl-Anthony Towns in a show of solidarity for Floyd and other people of color who have lost their lives as a result of to excessive police force.
Follow Us
Subscribe