SACRAMENTO -- When the Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics came out of the tunnel to take the floor Sunday afternoon, they did so wearing matching warm up shirts honoring a local Sacramento man who lost his life in an officer involved shooting last Sunday.
Stephon Clark, a 22-year-old African American, was unarmed when he was shot and killed by Sac PD officers. His death and the release of body cam and helicopter videos sparked protests on Thursday evening, which spilled over into the courtyard of Golden 1 Center.
The Kings game versus the Atlanta Hawks was delayed 13 minutes and only 2500 fans were allowed in the building before protesters made a human chain around the arena and blocked the entrances.
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SIGN UP HERE The players t-shirts on Sunday read “Accountability” and “We are one” on the front and “#StephonClark” on the backside.
During the first break of the first quarter of game, the Kings ran a public service announcement on the main board of the arena. Nine members of the Kings and eight representatives from the Celtics took part in the PSA.
Below is a script of the video:
These tragedies have to stop.
There must be accountability.
Black. White. Brown.
We are one.
We will not stick to sports.
We will not shut up and dribble.
This is bigger than basketball.
Change can be uncomfortable.
Change is necessary.
We need to talk.
We need to act.
We matter.
These tragedies have to stop.
We must unite.
Say his name.
Stephon Clark
