During the national anthem, WNBA players exited out of the court as a part of a peaceful protest and held a moment of silence for Breonna Taylor.
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According to the New York Post, the New York Liberty and Seattle Storm each wore jerseys with Breonna Taylor’s name and held a moment of silence for 26 seconds. Liberty player Layshia Clarendon stood alongside Storm player Breanna Stewart as they dedicated their opening season to Taylor at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
As the national anthem was played, the @nyliberty and @seattlestorm walked off the floor as part of the social justice initiative. pic.twitter.com/VihH5X3Yzh
— ESPN (@espn) July 25, 2020
Clarendon said, “Breonna Taylor was dedicated and committed to uplifting everyone around here. We are also dedicating this season to ‘Say Her Name” campaign, a campaign committed to saying the names and fighting for justice of black women – black women are so often forgotten in this fight for justice, who don’t have people marching in the streets for them. We will say her name. Sandra Bland. Atatiana Jefferson. Dominique Remy Fells. Breonna Taylor. We will be a voice for the voiceless.”
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The New York Liberty has donated $25,000 to the African American Policy Forum and the Say Her Name campaign, joining in solidarity with the BLM movement and other social justice movements.