Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri has issued a statement after body-cam footage stemmed from an incident after the Raptors’ 2019 NBA Finals win went public on Tuesday.
Ujiri, 50, said he was grateful that so many people expressed “disappointment and concern” after watching the video. He said the video demonstrates how horribly he was treated by law enforcement, and believes the incident happened because Ujiri is Black.
Read Ujiri’s full statement:
“Thank you very much to everyone who expressed disappointment and concern about the video that was released recently. My family and I are deeply grateful for your care and consideration.
“The video shows how horribly I was treated last year by a law enforcement officer in the middle of my team, the Toronto Raptors, winning their first world championship. It was an exciting moment of achievement for our organization, for our players, for our city, four our country, and for me personally, seeing my professional journey into the NBA come with the long term. Yet I was sadly reiterated at that moment that despite all my hard work and success, there are some people, including those who would protect us, who will always and only see me as something not worthy of respect. involvement. And there’s only one undisputed reason why that’s the case – because I’m Black.
‘What saddens me most about this trial is that the only reason I get the justice I deserve at the moment is because of my success. Because I am the chairman of an NBA team, I had access to resources that made it possible for me to demand and fight for my justice. That many of my brothers and sisters have not had, have and do not have the same access to resources that ensured my justice. And that’s why Black Lives Matter.
‘And that’s why it’s important for all of us to ask for justice. Justice for George. Justice for Breonna. Justice for Elijah. Justice for far too many Black lives that were out there. And justice for Black people all over the world, who need our voice and our compassion to save their lives.
‘These are the bonds that bind us.
“With love and determination, Masai Ujiri.”
Masai Ujiri was not the aggressor in video
The video shows body-cam recordings of Alameda County Deputy Alam Strickland. In the video, Ujiri approaches Strickland, who is awaiting trial. Ujiri reaches into his suit to pull out his references to see Strickland. Before he can fully display his references, Ujiri is shoved by Strickland. Ujiri asks, ‘Why are you pushing me? I’m the president of the Raptors ”before Strickland Ujiri presses again. At that point, Ujiri shook Strickland.
Alan Strickland filed lawsuit against Masai Ujiri
As a result of the incursion, Strickland filed a lawsuit against Ujiri. Strickland is seeking damages for the incident, claiming he has emotional and physical fears.
Ujiri submitted a countersuit after the body-cam video was released.
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