“We’re dedicating this season to Breonna Taylor,” said New York Liberty player Layshia Clarendon.
Members of the New York Liberty, left, and Seattle Storm observe a moment of silence in honor of Breonna Taylor before their Saturday game.
The players of two Women’s National Basketball Association teams walked off the court as the national anthem was playing during a season-opening game in Florida on Saturday in an act of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. At the game in Brandenton, the Seattle Storm and New York Liberty players were also wearing black sweaters with the words “Say her name” written prominently on them, as part of a tribute to, the 26-year-old Black woman whose death at the hands of Louisville police has helped trigger national protests.
Athletes have protested during the national anthem before, but this appeared to be the first time members from two entire professional teams had walked out altogether while it played. The players’ walk-off was part of a season-long initiative called the Justice Movement that the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association had announced earlier this month.
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