Raptors all for using high-profile platform to raise inequality awareness
TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors plan to join the growing chorus of pro athletes speaking out against police brutality, a topic that has hit close to home for DeMar DeRozan.
“I had a close friend of mine a couple of weeks ago that was murdered by the police, shot 17 times,” the star guard said Monday at the team’s media day prior to the start of training camp. “It was something I haven’t spoke out about, it was more so of just understanding what’s going on in our society and how much I can help.”
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the “Star-Spangled Banner” in protest of police shootings and racial inequality in the United States, and his action has spread not only across the NFL, but to NCAA football and the WNBA.
And now, the NBA — in which 75 per cent of players are black — will surely see some players follow suit when the season tips off next month.