Kenosha shooting: San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers issue joint statement postponing their game
San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers issued a statement on Wednesday, August 26, after both teams stood in solidarity with fellow MLB sides. The two teams decided not to take the pitch at Oracle Park on Wednesday as a sign of protest following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha on Sunday. It started off with the NBA postponing its entire list of games on Wednesday after the Milwaukee Bucks refused to play the Orlando Magic. Milwaukee Brewers soon followed suit.
Also participating actively in the protest were the Seattle Mariners who wouldn't play the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers and Giants released an official statement supporting the decision of the players. "Throughout our country’s history, the sport has been a powerful vehicle towards change. The Dodgers and Giants proudly join our players in the shared goal for a more equitable and just society." Also releasing a statement was MLB in its support for teams.
"Given the pain in the communities of Wisconsin and beyond following the shooting of Jacob Blake, we respect the decisions of a number of players not to play tonight. Major League Baseball remains united for change in our society and we will be allies in the fight to end racism and injustice." It was a Sunday that plunged the US into gloom after Blake, 29, was shot seven times in the back by a police officer. He survived the shooting but was revealed to be paralyzed from his waist down.
The Giants were slated to take on the Dodgers at 6.45 pm ET, but after a meeting on-field with the players and coaches, everyone left with the gear in hand. Gabe Kapler, the Giants managers spoke about the Kenosha shooting before these events.
"I don't think it should require athletes needing to boycott playoff games to remind us Black lives matter, and that police brutality is unacceptable, and that systemic racism needs to be eliminated," Kapler said. Games for the WNBA and Major League Soccer were also postponed following the move by the other teams. The W&S Open was the latest tournament as it paused play on Thursday in protest of the shooting.