Several NBA players have decided to take a more active role in the demonstration against police violence following the decision by the grand jury not to indict the policemen involved in both Michael Brown and Eric Garner’s case. These professional athletes are no longer remaining silent after the recent events resulting in the death of unarmed men across America and with the criticism and protests against the police increasing in recent days.
Derrick Rose was the first celebrity NBA star to have worn a shirt describing Garner’s last words and he’s been greatly respected for the courage shown. Rose during warm ups showed up with a T-shirt with the message “I can’t breathe”, which were the exact last words of Eric Garner, one of the victims of police violence.
Following Derrick Rose, several NBA stars like LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Deron Williams, Kyrie Irving, Jarrett Jack and Alan Anderson have all worn the memorable “I can’t breathe” T-shirt. King James however had previously expressed his support in the criticism of police after the latest incidents, by posting a drawing of victims Mike Brown and Trayvon Martin on his Instagram account. Also, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers team most recently wore T-shirts with similar words during their pre-game warmups in solidarity with those protesting police brutality .
PHOTO CREDIT: DENNIS WIERZBICKI/USA TODAY SPORTS, KATHY WILLENS/AP, EPA/JASON SZENES CORBIS OUT
