NBA star Jaylen Brown drives 15 hours to lead protest against George Floyd's death: 'First I'm a black man'
NBA star Jaylen Brown decided to join hundreds of people who took to the streets to protest against the recent death of George Floyd. There has been an uproar over the issues of police brutality and racism with people all across the country seeking justice for the death of Floyd who died after now-jailed former police officer Derek Chauvin refused to lift his knee from his neck for several minutes.
People believed Floyd had chances of surviving had the cops listened to his request of letting him breathe. While an investigation is underway, people have been taking matters into their own hands and took to the streets to make it clear that "all lives matter". Brown decided to join the protest as he made it clear that his celebrity status did not mean he couldn't talk about what was happening in the world.
He kept his followers updated on what he was doing and revealed that he drove 15 hours from Boston to Atlanta to lead a protest. "Being a celebrity, being an NBA player doesn't exclude me from no conversation at all. First and foremost I'm a black man and I grew up on this soil," he said on his Instagram Live as he updated people about the situation that was forming during the protest.
He made it clear that it is a peaceful protest and it is being held to raise awareness of how injustice needs to stop. Brown also asked young people to use their voices as it had reached a point where all voices need to be heard to bring about a change. Brown even took the initiative of making sure people who have been arrested are bailed. He requested for information on anyone who had been arrested to make sure he could offer them help. He expressed his disappointment over the arrests as he wrote, "3 people were wrongfully arrested today. This was a peaceful protest!!"
Fans were quick to applaud Brown for his participation and for using his platform to bring attention to the issue. "Jaylen Brown is truly special. Not like we needed the reminder, though. If he reaches the Basketball Hall of Fame one day, I'm not sure that'll be the first line in his professional legacy," wrote one.
Another added, "Jaylen Brown got a $100M contract and is putting his health, safety and job at risk to help his community and the less fortunate. Salute." "Jaylen Brown was already becoming one of my favorite players on the court but to be this young and intelligent and leading during this crazy time he just became one of my Favorite PEOPLE!!! Keep up the great work youngin," read another comment.