4 Officers Walk Out Of WNBA Game Over Players’ Offensive Shirts
During a WNBA Lynx game, four off-duty Minneapolis police officers walked out in protest after players wore pre-game shirts honoring victims of police shootings. The black T-shirts displayed the names of Philando Castile, killed by police during a traffic stop, and Dallas police officers killed on duty, with “Black Lives Matter” on the back.
The players explained that the shirts aimed to honor the deceased and advocate for change in racial profiling and violence. When the officers asked the team to remove the shirts and were refused, they left.
Minneapolis Police Chief Janee’ Harteau condemned the officers’ actions, stressing that they must adhere to their oath even off-duty. Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges criticized the police federation president, stating he didn’t represent the city’s management.
The incident highlighted ongoing issues of racial profiling and violence, while also revealing divisions over police reform and the role of athletes in social activism.
