WATCH: Milwaukee Bucks call for justice, demand lawmakers take action and officers be held accountable
Hours after choosing to sit out Wednesday’s playoff game, the Milwaukee Bucks came out as a team, to give their reasons why.
George Hill first addressed the media, followed by Sterling Brown, then Hill again, reading the team statement.
“The past four months have shed a light on the ongoing racial injustices facing our African American community,” Brown read. “Citizens around the country have used their voices and platforms to speak out against these wrongdoings.
“Over the last few days in our home state of Wisconsin, we have seen the horrendous video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back seven times by a police officer in Kenosha and the additional shooting of protestors. Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there have been no actions, so our focus cannot be on basketball.”
Hill then read read the rest of the statement, demanding law makers and law enforcement take action.
“When we take the court and represent Milwaukee and Wisconsin, we are expected to play at a high level, give maximum effort and hold each other accountable,” George continued. “We hold ourselves to that standard and in this moment, we are demanding the same from lawmakers and law enforcement.
“We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake and demand the officers be held accountable. For this to occur, it is imperative for the Wisconsin state legislature to reconvene after months of inaction and take up meaningful measures to address issues of police accountability, brutality and criminal justice reform. We encourage all citizens to educate themselves, take peaceful and responsible action and remember to vote on Nov. 3.”
The team then walked off, and didn’t answer questions about when or whether they would resume playing.
TOP PHOTO: Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill reads a team statement with his teammates. (PHOTO: @Bucks on Twitter screenshot)