The unforgettable decision of pro-athletes to sit out games has sought to heighten a sense of urgency in tackling issues of police brutality and racial justice. Many players of color have spoken in personal terms about the shootings of Blake and other Black Americans in a time of distress for many Americans.
Asked by CNN’s Alisyn Camerota about ‘New Day’ as Pence supports the boycott, Marc Short, Vice President’s Chief of Staff Mike Pence, said, ‘ “I think it’s absurd, it’s stupid.”
He went on to criticize the NBA for its ties with China, saying he believed the administration should not talk to him “one way or another” about the boycott.
“If they want to protest, I do not think we care,” he said.
“There is a contrast to the positions they have taken,” he said.
“I think the NBA players are very happy that they have the financial position where they can take a night off from work without having the financial consequences for themselves,” he said during an interview with CNBC. “That they have that luxury, that’s great. Look, I think there’s a lot of activism with the NBA and I think they’ve put out a lot of slogans, but I think what we need to do is get that slogans and signals. for actual action that will solve the problem. “
What began as the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision Wednesday to boycott their playoff game after the shooting of Jacob Blake’s police in the team’s home state fell Wednesday night to a wave of similar protests across the American sports scene. The NBA soon announced that it would postpone Game 5 of three different playoff series – Bucks vs. Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers.
“President Donald Trump and I will always support the right of Americans to peaceful protest, but rioting and looting is not peaceful protest, image degradation is not freedom of speech. Those who do so will be within the full scope of the law. be prosecuted, ”Pence said in Fort. McHenry in Baltimore. “Let me be clear, the violence must stop, whether in Minneapolis, Portland, or Kenosha. Too many heroes have died to defend our freedoms to see Americans beat each other. We will have law and order on the streets of this country. for every American of every race and faith and color. “
This story has been updated with additional comments and background.
CNN’s Jill Martin, Leah Asmelash, David Close and Sam Fossum contributed to this report.
.
