With the NBA league restart around the corner, some of the sport’s biggest stars used their platforms this week to urge fans not to forget about the police murder of Breonna Taylor.
The league’s first exhibition games were played in the Orlando bubble of professional basketball and, in what appeared to be a coordinated effort, the players said more attention should be paid to Taylor, the EMT who was gunned down by the Louisville, Kentucky police who broke into her home with a no-touch order on March 13.
LeBron James, the NBA’s most successful active player and one of the world’s most famous athletes, asked Kentucky authorities Thursday to arrest the officers who opened fire on Taylor.
“We want them to arrest the cops who committed that crime,” James said after his Los Angeles Lakers criticized the Dallas Mavericks.
“As one of the leaders of this league, I want her family to know and I want the state of Kentucky to know that we feel for her and we want justice. And that’s what it’s about. What is right is right, and what is wrong is wrong. This is a wrong situation that is happening in my eyes and in many other eyes not only here in the United States, but also in the world. “
When Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George was asked about a persistent shoulder injury Wednesday, he quickly addressed Taylor.
“I felt great, but I think the most important thing is that I take this time to extend my condolences to the Taylor family, Breonna Taylor, rest in peace, George Floyd, rest in peace,” said the six-time All-Star George. of the NBA. reporters
“There are so many others out there who have been brutally murdered by the police. That is all.
Floyd’s death in Minneapolis sparked a worldwide outcry against police brutality and systemic racism. Taylor’s previous murder, while also sparking protests, has flown a bit further under the radar.
Star Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell met with reporters after practice Wednesday night and immediately said Taylor’s murder demanded justice.
“I want to continue spreading the message as we need justice for Breonna Taylor,” said Mitchell, who played college at the University of Louisville. “I think we all understand that she was murdered in her own home. If there is a point where we cannot feel safe in our home, that is not right. ”
A Change.org petition demanding justice for Taylor had more than 10 million signatures on Thursday afternoon, the second-highest number in the history of the website.
“African American women are far behind in terms of the opportunities they receive,” Mitchell said. “Seeing that happen to an African American woman is very dear to me.”
Promising second-year Toronto Raptors guard Terence Davis said his professional basketball colleagues do not hesitate to support Taylor’s family.
“We are united right now, just focusing on the killer of Breonna Taylor,” Davis said Wednesday. “That’s what I want to focus on this week on what’s really going on.”
A Louisville police officer involved in the deadly March 13 incident was fired, but there have been no arrests.
An investigation into the murder of Taylor by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is still ongoing.
Shamar Walters and Associated Press contributed
