New York Liberty protests in support of Black Lives Matter (Fox Sports)
In a defiant move Thursday, members of three WNBA teams refused to take questions about basketball at a post-game press conference in protest of a fine given for wearing black warmup t-shirts. Atlanta Black Star reported the WNBA fined the New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever $5,000, and their team members were charged $500 each.
The basketball stars wore their uniform-approved Adidas Black t-shirts that read #BlackLivesMatter and #Dallas5 – but the messages did not comply with the league’s guidelines which state uniforms must not be changed in any way. The hashtags are meant to honor the shootings done by and against police. League president Lisa Borders commended their “engagement and passionate advocacy for non-violent solutions to difficult social issues” but expected teams to comply with uniform guidelines.
At the press conference Thursday afternoon following the New York Liberty and Indiana Fever’s matchup at New York’s Madison Square Garden, The Washington Post reported the players would not answer questions regarding the game or basketball but were willing to discuss social issues.
LIVE on #Periscope https://t.co/Cc4rbHOROL
— Excelle Sports (@ExcelleSports) July 21, 2016
“We really feel like there’s still an issue here in America,” Liberty player Tanisha Wright said. “And we want to be able to use our platforms, we want to be able to use our voices, we don’t want to let anybody silence us in what we want to talk about. So you guys can ask away about anything that’s happening in society.”
“It’s unfortunate that the WNBA has fined us and not supported its players,” she added.
Fever forward Tamika Catchings also confirmed her team would not answer questions about their 82-70 game win or the sport itself. She mentioned the blackout was a group decision.
“I think, no matter what our success is on the court, basketball is just that — it’s just basketball,” the 2012 WNBA champion said. “And there’s a whole other world outside of that, and it’s way more important than what we do.”
“What’s most upsetting is the way it was handled,” Indiana Fever point guard Briann January told ESPN. “You have a league that is 90 – if not above 90 – percent African-American and you have an issue that is directly affecting them and the people they know and you have a league that isn’t willing to side with them.”
Phoenix Mercury forward Mistie Bass pointed out the WNBA’s praise of team actions in support of the Orlando Shooting last month, which included wearing t-shirts.
I would hope the league would feel the same way about our desire 2 use this platform 4 the recent tragedies! #taboo pic.twitter.com/agtKlYovOu
— Mistie Bass (@A_Phoenix_Born) July 21, 2016
Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, who has been encouraging athletes to be social activists, also supports the protest.
“I don’t see no reason to fine them,” he told ESPN. “If anything you should want to support them. I don’t know details, but don’t see a reason to fine them.”
When white people got shot dead, than it's o.k. to show solidarity, but when Black people are being slaughtered by members of the KKK in blue uniform, than it's forbidden to show solidarity. They describe Gavin Long as a deranged person, but those who've seen the video with his last message (analysis), know that this bright hero was quite right. Black lifes means nothing to white people. They only get upset when they kill a monkey in a zoo, but not when black people are shot dead by the police as if they are animals. It's time Black people find the right answer to end this racial oppression at last.
Wilma Roberson : What a shameless monster are you, Wilma Roberson. The subject in this article is not how much dollars you make an hour. Are you that stupid that you can't understand it.
Atif Nadeem Atif Nadeem: The subject we're commenting has nothing to do with your great opportunity, so show some respect and find yourself another page for your propaganda.
Wrong Obama have did all he can
what is wrong with the league