Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) celebrates a score in overtime during a WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. The Aces beat the Mercury 84-79.
Monday, June 1, 2020 | 10:49 a.m.
The death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, while in the custody of Minneapolis police last week has sparked protests in Las Vegas and nationwide.
Prominent people and organizations have released statements condemning racism and bigotry.
Players with the Las Vegas Raiders and Aces were among those posting their thoughts on social media.
Raiders offensive lineman Trent Brown tweeted on Tuesday, the day after Floyd’s death, “Being black in America shouldn’t result in a death sentence #RIPGeorgeFloyd.”
Teammate and wide receiver Tyrell Williams said, “Looting of communities is a problem but its not THE problem.”
Recent Raiders draft pick Damon Arnette tweeted in support of the protests, saying, “ALL protests are very necessary at this point in time.
A statement from Raiders owner Mark Davis decried Floyd’s death but noted that “burning your brother’s house down is ultimately not the answer.”
Many Aces players went to Twitter and Instagram, posting short remarks and retweeting comments or news stories.
Aces Guard Kelsey Plum was the only player to make a longer statement on social media. “I know that silence is a form of racism,” she said in an Instagram post.
Aces forward A’ja Wilson was particularly active on her Twitter account over the weekend. On Instagram, she posted a message backing protests in her home of South Carolina. Guard Angel McCoughtry has posted several times on the matter, too.
The Aces as a team have not issued a formal statement but posted messages to their social media accounts condemning racism, including posting a video from Nike with the caption, “Let’s all be part of the change.”
UNLV football coach Marcus Arroyo put out a tweet supporting protesters.
“The senseless murder of George Floyd has me sick and my deepest condolences go out to his family,” Arroyo said on Twitter. “Enough is enough, I stand with those demanding change, and will act accordingly. WE MUST CHANGE! Listen. Organize. Demonstrate. Sit-in. Stand-up. Lead.”
The Golden Knights released a statement Sunday night that they “vehemently condemn racism in all its forms,” and “stand in solidarity with all of those who peacefully seek to inspire change.”
Several Lights FC players also posted over the weekend, mostly retweets.
Scroll below to see many local athletes' social-media posts.
