Pelicans, Jazz players kneel for national anthem in peaceful protest before NBA’s first seeding game

Players on the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz knelt for the national anthem on Thursday prior to the NBA’s first seeding game since the league shut down in March due to the coronavirus.

Every player on both teams knelt — a gesture made in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Pelicans released a statement in support of their players.

The New Orleans Pelicans stand by the ideals of freedom of speech and the right to peacefully protest,” the Pelicans said in their statement. “Collectively with the Utah Jazz, our organization joins the NBA in supporting our players and coaches. To promote meaningful change relative to social justice and racial equality, the New Orleans Pelicans have partnered with our players, staff and coaches to create a Social Justice Leadership Alliance committed to furthering the discussion, listening and learning and taking action to make positive chance in our community and our country.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement as well.

“I respect our teams’ unified act of peaceful protest for social justice and under these unique circumstances will not enforce our long-standing rule requiring standing during the playing of our national anthem,” Silver said.

Kneeling during the anthem in protest was popularized by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who began kneeling to protest police violence against the Black community nationwide and to demand equality. Kaepernick has not been signed by an NFL team since his protests began.

The Boston Celtics plan to take action as a team as well, according to Jaylen Brown.

“Just deciding and talking as a team. We’re still putting a lot of thought into it and nothing is completely decided,” Brown said. “We definitely want to express ourselves in unison, together, because that’s what we are, we’re a family, we’re a brotherhood, so, a lot of talk and discussion is being walked back and forth. Hopefully people understand whatever we decide to do, it’s coming from a place we’re representing our community and people who feel the same way.” 

The NBA will allow players to wear messages on the backs of their jerseys promoting social justice. Brown did not say exactly what he plans to wear on his jersey yet.

”We’ll see Friday,” he said. “I’ve put a lot of thought into it, and I’m for sure undecided. One of the things I participated in choosing was Liberation. I felt like the list was a little bit limited. But Liberation is what I chose from that list. The definition of liberation is free yourself from oppression, slavery, or marginalization. I wanted to represent that. This is the season to break free of some of those cycles.”

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