The Le Le Miss’ football team did not practice on Friday and instead marched to the square in downtown Oxford, Mississippi to raise awareness of racial injustice in the country.
Coach Lane Keefe took part in the march, and some of the players gave signs that read: The end of police brutality.
Once on the square, team members gathered around the Confederate statue and chanted “No justice, no peace” as well as “Hands up, don’t shoot” and “Black Life Matter.”
Linebacker Jacques Jones posted a picture of the Bha players in front of a statue on his Twitter feed on Friday. Read on his tweet: Stand up for nothing, find for anything #BLM.
Nothing to stand for, nothing to fall for # BLM pic.twitter.com/TS5x5WJst7
– Jacques Jones (ESPN_Jac) August 28, 2020
“As the Ole Miss Football family, we are committed to change,” the players said in a statement issued by the school. “Police brutality and other injustices in our nation have come to an end, and our team has come together to embrace our diversity and promote a culture of peace, equality and understanding. Regardless of our background, we all need to listen to each other and learn Respect and love our differences. “
“I met with our leadership committee last night and asked how they wanted to hear their voices,” Kiffin said. “It was a good discussion, and this morning, the team decided to march in unity and use their platform to send a message. I am proud to come with our players for justice and change. We will continue to work together. For everyone around us Improve the world. “
In June, Ole Miss players vowed to remove the statue sitting in front of Loft County Courthouse. In one video, several players running behind defensive and rider Anderson, Jarian Ily and linebacker Momo Sanogo ask the Statue of Board to move the supervisor from his current position.
At Oklahoma, the players headed to the University’s Unity Garden, where coach Lincoln Riley spoke to reporters whose team dealt with social justice issues, including yesterday after practice.
#Sunners pic.twitter.com/cW0VoJnZn3
– Eric Bailey (@EricBelilityW) August 28, 2020
“That conversation has been tough. They’re eye-opening,” Riley said. “They’ve been very emotional, very stressful. They’ve not only given everyone out there a chance to express themselves, but, more importantly, they’ve also given others a chance to hear what their experiences are. Every waking second Think about us and our brothers and sisters and what they are going through and how we can help. “
After Riley spoke, Suners asked Dr. Led by Martin Luther King Jr., Washington observed a 57-second silence on Friday in honor of the 57th anniversary of March in Washington.
David Wills contributed to this story.
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