The Tampa Bay Rays on Twitter have called for the arrest of officers involved in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor, a black emergency technician who was killed by police in March. The team on Friday morning tweeted: “Today is opening day, which means it is a great day to arrest Breonna Taylor’s killers.”
The team followed the tweet by announcing a $ 100,000 donation to local groups. The contribution, to be implemented annually, is intended to “generate power within communities that have historically been overlooked and purposefully disadvantaged due to systemic racism.”
Organizations include the NAACP Hillsborough County Branch, the Tampa Community Development Corporation, Inc., and the Urban League of Pinellas County, which provides economic empowerment and educational opportunities for residents.
Taylor, 26, was shot dead by police on March 25 during a drug raid while asleep at his Louisville home. Police found no narcotics during the search.
None of the three officers involved has been charged. One of the officers, Sgt. Brett Hankison, was fired from the Louisville Police Department. The other two, Myles Cosgrove and Jonathan Mattingly, were placed on administrative leave.
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is investigating the case, but Taylor’s activists and supporters believe the investigation is not moving fast enough.
Last month, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred mentioned Taylor while addressing the Black Lives Matter move ahead of this year’s draft. “For many reasons, these are unprecedented times in our county and painful times,” said Manfred. “We share the sadness and outrage that has resulted in national tragedies that include the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and others.”
“Tonight, I join our 30 club baseball operations officials as they recognize, on behalf of our entire industry, that systemic racism and inequality are devastating problems. That each can do more to help. Baseball can do more as an institution. That black Lives Matter and that we are united by change, “he added.
“This moment is a call to action to recognize the evils that exist, to show solidarity with the black community in their efforts to end racism and injustice. We want to use the platform offered by our game to be not only allies but participants assets in social change. ”
Professional athletes, including NBA players like LeBron James and Tobias Harris, have kept Taylor’s name in the spotlight. The WNBA will allow players wearing Taylor’s name on their shirts, along with other victims killed in alleged acts of police brutality or racial violence.
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