The NBA postpones Timberwolves–Warriors after the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Protests against ICE, cities take to the streets, sport breaks the silence.
“Prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community.”
The official statement with which the NBA has decided to postpone last night’s match between Minnesota Timberwolves e Golden State Warriors he acted like this. You couldn’t play on the same day another life was taken.
Alex Jeffrey Prettia 37-year-old nurse, was killed by a federal agent in Minneapolisthe city where theICE arrests children and kills protesters. A few weeks ago, on January 7, she was killed Renee Nicole Goodthe same age as yesterday’s victim.
Almost a month of employment, moreover 3,000 anti-immigration agentsas many people arrested in a city from 425 thousand inhabitants. Who on Friday had poured into the square, defying the cold and fear. Among them the coach of Minnesota Lynx Cheryl Reeve and the assistant coach and former star Rebekkah Brunson.
A stream of people marched towards the Target Center to protest against the controls, violence and abuses of power of the special force Donald Trump. With them, hundreds of commercial activities – restaurants, pubs – lowered their shutters. And with them the schools, outside which the agents lurk to arrest students and use them as bait.
«ICE has already taken teachers away before the eyes of children, or is waiting for the exit to take their parents»some witnesses say.
One day of strike. The eve of yet another tragedy.
Saturday afternoon, a few hours after the killing of Alex Prettithe frost has also fallen inside the training center of the Timberwolveswhich is located across the street from the Target Center in Minneapolis. Silence, astonished, angry. Neither team has made an official comment.
Jaylen Clark, Timberwolves guardhe didn’t stay silent. He posted a video of the shooting on his Instagram stories, with the writing: «Sick world, man». Also Tyrese Haliburtonof the Indiana Pacersspoke using the right words, the only possible words: «Alex Pretti was murdered».
Because today this is also difficult: calling things by their name. Talk about genocidein Palestine. Talk about deportations e di murders in the United States. And luckily, every now and then, sport takes care of reminding us of this.
I Minnesota Timberwolves will take the field against the Golden State Warriors all 11.30pm Italian. They will observe a minute’s silence, as they did after the murder Good. Just a minute.
Because inside and outside the Target Center in Minneapolis there is a city – and a piece of the world – that just doesn’t want to stay silent.
