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    Bucks, Lakers Among Teams to Call for Justice for Jacob Blake

    Blake SchusterAnalyst IIAugust 27, 2020

    Officials stand beside an empty court at the scheduled start of an NBA basketball first round playoff game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Orlando Magic, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Milwaukee Bucks didn't take the floor in protest against racial injustice and the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
    Ashley Landis/Associated Press

    A historic protest across multiple North American sports has seen both leagues and teams call for justice following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin on August 23.

    The Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic opted against playing Wednesday's scheduled Game 5 of the first round in the NBA's Eastern Conference playoffs with the Bucks refusing to leave their locker room in protest. The action prompted work stoppages and strikes across the sports landscape with teams demanding justice for Blake and an end to police brutality and systemic racism.

    Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes told reporters Monday that Blake, who is Black, was shot multiple times in the back by Kenosha police officer Rusten Sheskey. Blake was allegedly trying to de-escalate a domestic dispute when police arrived on the scene. Sheskey opened fire on Blake as he walked towards his own car where three of his children were waiting.

    The 29-year-old is expected to survive but is currently paralyzed from the waist down. It's not known if the condition is permanent. 

    The incident has led to consecutive days of protest in Kenosha with professional sports teams and athletes now stepping in to advocate on Blake's behalf. 

      

    Bucks, Lakers Among Teams to Call for Justice for Jacob Blake
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    Teams Calling For Action

    Golden State Warriors @warriors

    Demand Change. #JusticeForJacobBlake || #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/GXD2BOVqgJ

    Milwaukee Brewers @Brewers

    From the players of the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds: https://t.co/qkhH4AmBKm

    Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks

    https://t.co/4pzZTLR143

    Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks

    Full statement from the Milwaukee Bucks: https://t.co/jjGEyVcCmB

    Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers

    https://t.co/ddsx5WjvGd

    Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers

    Demand Justice https://t.co/AzBIxP9ZqT

    Boston Celtics @celtics

    #JusticeForJacobBlake https://t.co/OhToTWSk9O

    LA Clippers @LAClippers

    We demand change. We demand justice. #JusticeforJacobBlake #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/c66zqCJUt4

    Denver Nuggets @nuggets

    #JusticeForJacobBlake #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/JrXJEvtsbK

    Atlanta Hawks @ATLHawks

    We demand action. #JusticeForJacobBlake https://t.co/9rVhlmx03K

    Atlanta Dream @AtlantaDream

    Center @E_Williams_1 reads statement on @espn as the representative for all @WNBA players. Tonight's games have been cancelled. https://t.co/xDz4uCQSiD

    Leagues Offering Support

    Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn

    @NBA_Coaches statement continued: "...Not after the playoffs, not in the future, but now." https://t.co/33yEK8YzmW

    Stan Van Gundy @realStanVG

    I am proud of NBA players. They are trying to use their platform to make a difference on issues of racial injustice. For those criticizing them (both the shut up and dribble crowd and the ones thinking they should do more) 2 questions. What is your solution? What are you doing?

    Major League Soccer @MLS

    https://t.co/UkB66PEdSt

    NBPA @TheNBPA

    We stand with our players. #JusticeForJacobBlake https://t.co/yEPQ3cA4gC

    Teams Offering Support

    NEW YORK KNICKS @nyknicks

    Statement from the New York Knicks. https://t.co/LIvuz8qbVm

    Jeanie Buss @JeanieBuss

    I was excited to see us play - and hopefully close out our series - tonight. But I stand behind our players, today and always. After more than 400 years of cruelty, racism and injustice, we all need to work together to say enough is enough. #JusticeForJacobBlake #WeHearYou

    Minnesota Timberwolves @Timberwolves

    #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/rUJPCRn8Yg

    Vivek Ranadivé @Vivek

    https://t.co/O1zGnxN8xI

    Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls

    Bigger than basketball ✊🏾 #NBATOGETHER #BLACKLIVESMATTER https://t.co/QNfsQsn5By

    Toronto Raptors @Raptors

    We stand with our brothers. https://t.co/NnAQJWCmu1

    J.B. Bickerstaff @jbbickerstaff_

    If you can watch, cheer, celebrate and share in their pain on the court, you should share in their pain off the court and show empathy for them if you value them as human beings acknowledge that they are hurting! Ask why? They are more than entertainment!

    Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons

    https://t.co/r1bXeKF1om

    Philadelphia 76ers @sixers

    We stand in support of those using their platform for change. #BlackLivesMatter

    Washington Wizards @WashWizards

    #BlackLivesMatter x #NewProfilePic https://t.co/FG8fBBycGJ

    Milwaukee Brewers @Brewers

    A statement from the Milwaukee Brewers: https://t.co/X9etvO3zIp

    Athletes Offering Support

    DeMar DeRozan @DeMar_DeRozan

    This shit bigger than basketball! Whoever don’t understand that is part of the problem.

    Gordon Wittenmyer @GDubCub

    Jason Heyward posted this picture on his instagram account this afternoon before taking himself out of Wednesday's lineup. #kenosha #justice #BLM https://t.co/nnRmf7tJuE

    Shed Long Jr. @SLONG895

    Enough is enough https://t.co/Rhs0hbLVMN

    Arthur Staple @StapeAthletic

    Full postgame quote from #Isles captain Anders Lee on the NBA players’ decision to not play their games tonight: https://t.co/2dOLB4lTfq

    Greg Wyshynski @wyshynski

    “NHL is always last to the party on these topics," @mnwild defenseman Matt Dumba tells Sportsnet 650, reacting to their pregame "moments of reflection" tonight.

    Jesse Rogers @JesseRogersESPN

    Lucas Giolito just now on ESPN 1000: “I stand with all the guys in the NBA boycotting right now. “

    Matt Kemp @TheRealMattKemp

    Tonight I stand with my fellow professional athletes in protest of the injustices my people continue to suffer. I could not play this game I love so much tonight knowing the hurt and anguish my people continue to… https://t.co/nxUt02S64v

    Dee Gordon @FlashGJr

    Instead of watching us, we hope people will focus on the things more important than sports that are happening. - Dee Strange-Gordon

    Eric Paschall @epaschall

    For those who don’t understand what is going on, it will always be bigger than basketball! We demand change!!! We demand justice! Have a blessed day! ✊🏾🙏🏾

    This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available. Get the best sports content from the web and social in the new B/R app. Get the app and get the game.