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The National Basketball Players Association voiced support on Sunday for protesters in Minneapolis rallying against a crackdown by U.S. federal immigration authorities.
There have been ongoing clashes in Minneapolis between demonstrators and those officers, sent by U.S. President Donald Trump to various Democrat-run cities, which has resulted in fatal shootings of two people — the most recent being the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti on Saturday.
In a statement on Sunday, the NBPA, the union which represents the league’s basketball players, said “NBA players can no longer remain silent.”
“Now more than ever, we must defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice,” the statement read.
“The fraternity of NBA players, like the United States itself, is a community enriched by its global citizens, and we refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all.”
Fans hold up signs to protest the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency during an NBA game in Minneapolis on Sunday. (David Berding/Getty Images)
The NBA postponed a game in Minneapolis between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors on Saturday following Pretti’s killing, which happened about three kilometres south of the Timberwolves’s arena, citing the need to “prioritize the safety and security” of the community.
The game was rescheduled for Sunday evening, and featured a moment of silence for Pretti before tip-off.
“It was one of the most bizarre, sad games I’ve ever been a part of,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after Golden State’s 111-85 victory on Sunday.
“You could feel the somber atmosphere. Their team, you could tell they were struggling with everything that’s been going on and what the city has been through.”
WATCH | Mourners visit memorial for Pretti :
Mourners visit memorial after Alex Pretti was fatally shot by immigration officers
U.S. citizen Alex Pretti was killed Saturday in another shooting in Minneapolis involving federal officers, renewing the outcry over the Trump administration’s immigration operations. CBC’s Katie Simpson reports from the scene.
Before the game, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch’s voice cracked and faltered as the he expressed on behalf of the team heartbreak for the community’s collective fear and pain from the ongoing immigration crackdown.
“It’s sad to watch what is happening,” said Finch.
“On the human level, certainly as somebody who takes great pride in being here, I know a lot of our players feel the same. They all love being here, and it’s just hard to watch what we’re going through.”
Afterward, Finch called it a “ghost of a performance” after his team’s lowest final score in more than four years.
Kerr said he thought it was impossible for the fans and players to focus on the court.
“They came to the game to try to forget about stuff, I guess, but I don’t think anything went away from the city and for their team,” Kerr said.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, left, and Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch converse following a match between their teams in Minneapolis on Sunday. (Matt Krohn/The Associated Press)
After the game, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards acknowledged the heaviness of the situation.
“I just love Minnesota, all the love and support that they show me,” Edwards said. “Me and my family are definitely praying for everybody.”
Teammate Julius Randle echoed a similar sentiment.
“Somebody loses their life, you never want to see that,” Randle said, adding: “Been nothing but a joy living here, so things like this happening in the community, it’s tough.”
‘I stand with the people of Minnesota’
Around the league, some players reacted to Pretti’s death on social media, with Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers writing on X that he was “murdered” while former Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns described the crackdown in Minneapolis “heartbreaking” and called for accountability.
Two weeks ago, Renee Good, also 37, was fatally shot by a federal officer while in her SUV in a residential neighbourhood south of downtown Minneapolis. The Timberwolves held a moment of silence for Good before their game the following night.
“My thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences are with the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti,” Towns, who now plays for the New York Knicks, said.
“I stand with the people of Minnesota.”
