Americans Sports Halted on Wednesday Night in Act of Protest

Our nation is facing a controversial and consistent conflict this week, as protestors around the nation again take to the streets in anger and disappointment.

This time, as it has been before, the ire of the demonstrators originated with an officer-involved shooting of a young black man that left 29 year old Jacob Blake in the ICU.  Blake was shot 7 times in the back at point blank range by a Kenosha, Wisconsin police officer, with video footage of the incident soon making the rounds on social media.

Then, during the ensuing anarchy, a 17 year old child with an AR-15 shot three protesters, killing two and maiming another, before casually strolling right past police as onlookers shouted “he just shot someone”.

This incident only infuriated the nation further, and soon the entire sports world was reacting in an unprecedented way.

The Orlando, Fla., NBA bubble fell silent when the Milwaukee Bucks — the home NBA office for the latest racial injustice, the shooting in the back on Sunday of unarmed black man Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis. — started the dominoes falling, and falling hard, when they boycotted Game 5 of their playoff series against the Magic.

Postponed.

Then it was announced that LeBron James and the Lakers would not be dribbling against the Trail Blazers, and the Thunder would not be pick-and-rolling against the Rockets.

Postponed.

What was good for the goose was good for the gander. The WNBA marched out of the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

Postponed.

Then the Milwaukee Brewers announced that they would put their bats and balls away and postpone their scheduled game against the Reds. Then the Mariners decided not to play against the Padres, and the Dodgers and Giants followed.

Postponed.

Even Atlanta United, the MLS’ only true “superclub”, took a stand, allowing home team Inter Miami FC to stand around on the pitch looking confused while they remained in the locker room.  Eventually, both teams agreed to abandon the match in protest.

Late Wednesday night there was even talk of the NBA simply ending their season on the spot, right in the middle of the playoffs.  By Thursday afternoon, it appeared that this drastic idea had been abandoned.