Video of the shooting, released on Facebook, sparked protests in the city.
“And y’all wonder why we say what we say about the Police!! Someone please tell me WTF is this???!!! Exactly another black man being targeted. This sh*t is so wrong and so sad!! Feel so sorry for him, his family and OUR PEOPLE!! We want JUSTICE,” James said.
James has been among the most outspoken NBA players when it comes to social justice.
“The game of basketball has always been bigger than just a ball and a rim and 10 guys on the floor, four referees,” James said, speaking to Turner Sports following the Lakers’ first playoff win last week.
“We used this platform to spread a lot of positive, a lot of love throughout the course of the whole world,” he continued.
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell also reacted Monday by tweeting:
“F THE GAMES AND PLAYOFFS!!! THIS IS SICK AND IS A REAL PROBLEM WE DEMAND JUSTICE! ITS CRAZY I DONT HAVE ANY WORDS BUT WTF MAN! THIS IS WHY WE DONT FEEL SAFE!!!!”
The NBA has taken other steps to bring awareness to social justice and racism in the United States, especially after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor earlier this year.
The league restarted its season with every player kneeling during the National Anthem and wearing Black Lives Matter shirts. Many teams have opted for the slogan or the word “equality” on the back of their jerseys. “Black Lives Matter” is also written on the court.
Other athletes and teams have also been vocal in their calls for social justice as America reckons with racism and the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police.
The Milwaukee Brewers issued a statement concerning Blake’s shooting.
“Once again, we are faced with images of a horrific incident that show what appear to be inexplicable and excessive force inflicted upon a Black individual,” the MLB organization said.
“It stirs emotions of anger, confusion and great sadness at a time when we need healing and lasting change. We pray for a full recovery for Jacob, and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
The Green Bay Packers also spoke out with a statement on their Twitter account. The football franchise responded to social injustice in June with a video that simply stated “Enough is Enough.”
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