Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri is encouraging everyone to talk about racial issues. From world leaders and politicians, to parents talking with their children, the 49-year-old wants everyone to speak as a step forward from racial tensions across North America.
In an interview with CTV's Chief News Anchor Lisa Laflamme on Monday Night, Ujiri stressed the need for conversations as protests continue to intensify in response to the murder of George Floyd, who was killed at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25.
Ujiri explained how society cannot pretend as though nothing is happening anymore and stressed how important it is to find where it is all coming from.
More on the full interview:
“When I saw that video, Lisa, I don’t know how those policemen can actually watch. That’s broad daylight murder. That’s murder and those three guys there have to be held accountable for that too.”
The three officers involved in the death have been fired while Derek Chauvin, the officer who pressed his knee against Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes, has been charged with third degree murder. An autopsy on Monday revealed that Floyd's death was a homicide.
The Raptors also released a statement of their own in response to Floyd's death and the protests that ensued.
More and more figures from the sports world are continuing to share statements against racial injustice and police brutality, and protest peacefully. Ujiri, and so many others, know that the time for change is now.
(H/T CTV)
