- Former NBA player Jackson speaks at rally for fallen ‘friend’
- Teenage star Gauff issues call to action with powerful video
- Bengals’ Joe Burrow, Dolphins’ Brian Flores also speak out
Former NBA player Stephen Jackson said he would not allow the police to “demean the character of George Floyd” at a rally in Minneapolis in remembrance of the handcuffed black man who died in police custody on Monday after being pinned to the ground and pleading that he could not breathe.
“I’m here because they’re not gonna demean the character of George Floyd, my twin,” Jackson said to onlookers at the Minneapolis City Hall Rotunda on Friday afternoon. “A lot of times, when police do things they know that’s wrong, the first thing they try to do is cover it up, and bring up their background: to make it seem like the bullshit that they did, was worthy. When was murder ever worthy? But if it’s a black man, it’s approved.
Related: George Floyd killing: police officer charged with murder as Minneapolis sets curfew – live
Stephen Jackson with just about the most powerful words I’ve ever heard pic.twitter.com/7guc6O4T6W
The black community needs our help. They have been unheard for far too long. Open your ears, listen, and speak. This isn’t politics. This is human rights.
