Sometimes it takes one brave person to inspire many more and that is what Derrick Rose did. A simple act from an otherwise quiet player helped push other big names in the NBA to take a stand and support Eric Garner. After Rose wore the shirt LeBron James said he wanted one too which led to an elaborate plan between him, Jay Z, the Justice League NYC and the Brooklyn Nets to wear the shirts during the Cavaliers game against the Nets at Barclays Center in front of the Royal Family. Following that, Kobe Bryant and members of the Los Angeles Lakers donned the shirts as well. Latest to support the cause, Damian Lillard joins other NBA stars in voicing his opinion and supporting the cause.
via Oregon Live:
“It’s a stance on something outside of basketball that’s going on in the world today,” Lillard said.
This issue of police violence resonates with Lillard more than others because he has an intimate relationship with a controversial police killing. In 2009, on New Year’s Day, the Bay Area Rapid Transit police shot and killed Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old transit rider, in Oakland, Lillard’s hometown. The shooting occurred when Grant was detained and lying face down on a BART platform.
Grant played high school football in Oakland with Lillard’s older brother, Houston.
“It hit home,” Lillard said. “Oakland is one of the main cities right now that’s protesting it and making a stand about it. It’s also one of the more recent things that actually got caught on camera, so I got to actually see it. I think when you can see something for yourself that makes you want to lobby for it even more. I think that’s why it’s ‘I Can’t Breathe,’ because that’s the video we saw. I feel like there’s something to be said about it.”
