Once again we were forced to watch the unnecessary, infuriating, and horrific killing of another Black man by the police. And once again it took place in Minnesota.
On Monday, the bodycam footage of police officers in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota stopping, attempting to arrest, and then fatally shooting 20-year old Daunte Wright on Sunday was released. In response, protests and anger erupted from the west coast to the east, demonstrators taking to the streets after the death of yet another young Black man at the hands of the police.
In response, the sports world took notice. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Wild, and Minnesota Twins all canceled their home games.
“Out of respect for the tragic events that occurred yesterday in Brooklyn Center, and following the additional details in this evolving situation, the Minnesota Twins have decided it is in the best interests of our fans, staff, players and community to not play today’s game,” stated the Twins.
The NBA and the Wild both took to Twitter to announce the postponement of the games between the Nets and the Timberwolves and the Blues and the Wild, respectively.
“The National Hockey League extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Daunte Wright.” wrote the Wild.
But Wright’s death didn’t just affect sports in Minnesota.
In New York, Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks informed his manager, Aaron Boone, that he was sitting out of Monday night’s game against the Blue Jays in Florida.
“With all that’s going on in Minneapolis, he’s having a tough time right now,” said Boone. “He just felt like it was best to not have him in the starting lineup tonight and I certainly support that. We’ll try and rally around him the best we can.”
It’s been a heartbreaking situation that has affected Hicks deeply. He spent his first three MLB seasons with the Twins before being traded to the Yankees in 2015.
“I think it’s been a hard day for him, understandably,” said Boone. “Emotional. I think he felt like he would have a hard time going out there tonight and probably thought it was to keep him out of the lineup. That’s about how it went and all I could do is try as best as I can to offer that support that I’m here for him and I understand how he’s feeling.”
The shocking video of Daunte Wright’s death was called “an accidental discharge” by Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon. In it, you can hear officer Kim Potter shout “taser” multiple times. Yet she fired her gun, not her taser, fatally striking Wright in his vehicle. Porter, a 26 year veteran of the force, is also, according to KSTP, the President of the Brooklyn Center Police Officer’s Association.
A curfew was imposed in the area by the Governor and clashes between the police and protesters were seen across the news.
We will keep you updated on this situation.
