The United States basketball league, the NBA, decided to extend the suspension of its games this Thursday , hoping to resume the season starting tomorrow, Friday, after protests from players over the case of Jacob Blake, who received seven shots in the back by a police officer in Wisconsin.
In a meeting they held this morning, the players reached a consensus to continue with the season, which was playing its playoff games, according to ESPN and The Associated Press.
The league reported a little later that it hoped to reschedule Wednesday's suspended games and Thursday's, six in total, for Friday and Saturday.
However, there is still a meeting to be held this afternoon by the players, the team owners and the representatives of the league, to define the plans to follow related to social justice that athletes demand.
The suspension of the games originated this Wednesday when the Milwaukee Bucks players decided not to leave their locker room to play against the Orlando Magic, as a way of expressing their rejection of racism and police violence that claimed new victims in Kenosha, Wisconsis, a place that It is located about 40 miles from Milwaukee.
[Identity of police officer who shot Jacob Blake in the back seven times in Wisconsin revealed]
Former President Barack Obama expressed his support for the NBA players who motivated this day of sports stoppage and congratulated them for "defending what they believe" and "setting an example."
"It will take all of our institutions to defend our values," Obama added in a tweet.
By contrast, Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and top adviser, Donald Trump, scoffed at the players' decision. "I think NBA players are very fortunate to be in a financial position that allows them to take the night off without financial consequences. They have that luxury, which is great," he said.
In addition to the NBA, Major League Baseball (MLB) also postponed three games; women's basketball, the WNBA, suspended three, and MLS soccer, five games.
These leagues have not yet announced when they will continue their games.
In baseball, the meetings between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brewers in Milwaukee, between the Seattle Mariners and the Padres in San Diego, and between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants were postponed, hours before the time when that they should begin.
[Identity of police officer who shot Jacob Blake in the back seven times in Wisconsin revealed]
Other major league games had already started or even ended when the two postponements were announced. Some players, like outfielders Jason Heyward of the Chicago Cubs or Matt Kemp Kemp of the Colorado Rockies, decided to stay out of the games that their teams played.
The three postponed matches will take place on Thursday, as part of doubleheader. But the possibility remains that other major league games will be affected - two days before Jackie Robinson Day is celebrated.
In soccer, five of the six MLS games were postponed. “In the face of the pain in communities in Wisconsin and beyond, following the shooting of Jacob Blake, we respect the decisions of many players who chose not to play tonight.
Major League Baseball remains united by a change in our society and will be an ally in the fight to end racism and injustice, "the major league office said in a statement.
Tony Clark, leader of the players union, also spoke. "At this critical time, players have been deeply affected by recent events in Wisconsin and events in other parts of the country," he said. "We are proud of the stance our players have taken and remain committed to supporting their efforts to impact change within the major league communities and beyond."
Blake was shot multiple times by police officers in Kenosha, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Milwaukee. The family's attorney said Blake was paralyzed and that it would take a "miracle" for him to walk again.
Cell phone videos captured the moment officers opened fire on Blake on Sunday. The case has sparked protests in Kenosha and other locations.
[A leaked video shows the first moments of George Floyd's fatal arrest. "Please don't shoot me"]
“The Brewers and Reds players have decided not to play tonight's baseball game. At a time when our community and our nation face so much pain, we wanted to draw as much attention as possible to the issues that really matter, especially racial injustice and systemic oppression, ”players from both teams said in a joint statement.
Alex Lasry, vice president of the Milwaukee Bucks (NBA) said: “The position taken today by the players and (by the organization) shows that we are fed up. Enough already. A change is needed ”.
"We are the ones who are being killed," said Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers, who is black, Tuesday night during an emotional postgame speech. “We are the ones who are being shot. We are the ones who are denied living in certain communities. They have hanged us, they have shot us. And all they do is keep hearing about fear. It is amazing why we continue to love this country if this country does not love us in return. And it's really a very sad thing. "
There are three more NBA games scheduled for Thursday. It is unknown if they will be postponed as well. Several players, including LeBron James, posted on Twitter demanding a change, as did the official Boston Celtics account.
The Atlanta United soccer team issued a statement ahead of the scheduled time for their match against Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. All the players gathered on the court before the match, their arms intertwined. "We demonstrate in solidarity with the black community, with our players, our city and our supporters, in the fight against social injustice," reads the statement. We must use our voices to be part of the change. "
Also, two-time tennis Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka said she would not play her semi-final match at the Western & Southern Open.
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