MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Bucks players gathered as a team and called on Wisconsin lawmakers to make meaningful reform on police accountability Wednesday, hours after the Bucks boycotted Game 5 of their playoff series against the Orlando Magic due to the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha.
According to a video posted by an NBA Insider for Yahoo Sports, players spoke during a press conference Wednesday evening. Bucks point guard George Hill was first to speak, reading from a written statement.
"Over the last few days in the home state of Wisconsin, we've seen the horrendous video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back seven times by a police officer in Kenosha and the additional shooting of protesters," said Hill.
"Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action," Hill said.
MORE COVERAGE:
- DOJ identifies Kenosha police officer who shot Jacob Blake 7 times in the back
- Bucks boycott Game 5 of playoff series against Orlando Magic
Bucks guard Sterling Brown continued where he left off.
"We are expected to play at a high level. Give maximum effort and hold each other accountable. We hold ourselves to that standards, and in this moment we are demanding the same from lawmakers and law enforcement," said Brown.
Brown then called for the Wisconsin legislature to reconvene for a special session called by Gov. Tony Evers, to take action and address police accountability, brutality and reform.
"And remember to vote on November 3," Brown concluded.
The Milwaukee Bucks... pic.twitter.com/6r4nvQLkvw
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 26, 2020
During a press release Wednesday, Attorney General Josh Kaul said that “the Bucks have frankly done more to address these issues than Robin Vos or Scott Fitzgerald have done, and so I applaud them for stepping up and playing a leadership role in the debate.”
Assembly Speaker Vos previously announced the creation of a task force to address police accountability in Wisconsin.
