LeBron James voices support for Bucks NBA boycott: ‘We demand change’

NBA star LeBron James joined other prominent basketball players in voicing support for the Milwaukee Bucks’ boycott of the NBA following the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis., on Sunday.

On Wednesday afternoon it was reported that the Bucks would be boycotting its playoff game against the Orlando Magic minutes before the game was supposed to start at 4 p.m. ET. 

“We’re tired of the killings and the injustice,” Bucks guard George Hill said, according to ESPN.

James, who has been a leading voice for social justice in the NBA, joined other players in voicing their discontent with the state of police brutality. 

“FUCK THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT” James tweeted. 

FUCK THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT

— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 26, 2020

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and progressive Democratic congressional nominee Jamaal Bowman responded to his tweet approvingly. 

The Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell with the Utah Jazz also expressed support of the team’s decision to boycott. 

Blake, 29, was critically wounded Sunday afternoon after Kenosha police after officers shot him several times in the back at close range in response to a reported domestic incident. 

Cellphone footage of the incident quickly spread on social media, sparking outrage in Kenosha and across the country. President Trump said he would be sending federal officers to help with the unrest. 

Tuesday night, a white teenager from Illinois shot three people who were protesting, killing two of them. The teen has since been charged.