Initially discreet, American sport has started to seriously make itself heard since the death of Alex Pretti, a protester killed by Ice, the American immigration police, on Saturday January 24 in Minneapolis. The second death in this same city by the weapons of this police, compared to a militia by many Americans.
The NBA was the first to react, notably through the voice of Tyrese Haliburton, star of the Indiana Pacers, who refused the official speech: “Alex Pretti was murdered”he wrote. In his wake, Breanna Stewart, WNBA player and Steve Kerr, Golden State coach and former United States coach, spoke.
Read also: “Boycott the World Cup, don’t come to the United States”, the cry from the heart of an American journalist
If many stars have not (yet?) spoken, tongues are becoming more and more loose, with in particular the French Guerschon Yabusele and Victor Wembanyama who have spoken.
This Wednesday, January 28, former university basketball star, McKenzie Forbes, reacted to the Guardian: “I am disgusted and outraged by the public executions that have just taken place. I think this is representative of the current state of our country, with actions by members of the administration in broad daylight. Fascism is here now and if we the people don’t organize with our neighbors it will get worse. »
“Being silent guarantees absolutely nothing”
Words that echo those of baseball stars Sean Doolittle – “horrified and heartbroken by these murders” – or American football Doug Baldwin: “No matter where you are on the political spectrum, I would hope that your humanity appreciates what is happening. »
NBA and basketball legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, also an activist and known for his numerous fights for equality in the United States, issued a press release, where he urges athletes and youth to speak out. “I’ve been writing about social justice for decades, not because I like controversy or seek attention, but because I’ve seen what happens when we let others define reality for us […] I’ve lived long enough to know that talking doesn’t guarantee change. But remaining silent guarantees absolutely nothing. And if there’s one lesson I hope to see younger generations pass on, it’s this: your voice is not insignificant. Your testimony matters. »
