By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
After a meeting before the game, the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat issued a joint statement, according to which they are playing “with a heavy heart”, while “knowing that protesters in our nation’s capital are treated differently by political leaders depending on what side of certain issues they are on.”
The text refers to the situation in Washington DC and the supporters of US President Donald Trump forcing their way into the Capitol and on Tuesday’s prosecutors’ decision not to prosecute a white Kenosha police officer in the shooting of black man Jacob Blake.
“2021 is a new year, but some things have not changed,” the statement read. “The drastic difference between the way protesters this past spring and summer were treated and the encouragement given to today’s protestors who acted illegally just shows how much more work we have to do.”
“We have decided to play tonight’s game to try to bring joy into people’s lives. But we must not forget the injustices in our society, and we will continue to use our voices and our platform to highlight these issues and do everything we can to work for a more equal and just America. #BLACKLIVESSTILLMATTER”
Most players from both teams also took a knee during the national anthem. The same happened in the game between the Pistons and the Bucks with the players doing it after the tip off.
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