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Tobias Harris Uses Media Availability to Call for Justice for Breonna Taylor

Russ Joy

By Russ Joy

Published:

Image via Twitter

Prior to entering the Orlando bubble, word spread quickly that NBA players intended on using their platform to call for social justice and to continue the movement against police brutality. On Monday, Sixers forward Tobias Harris, who had to that point been affable with his teammates as seen on Matisse Thybulle’s YouTube vlog, struck a more serious tone as he used his media availability to call for justice for Breonna Taylor:

Harris had been asked initially about these shirts that Russell Westbrook had designed in collaboration with the NBPA:

He opted, however, to pivot to a direct call to action from Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron:

Nothing against the T-shirts, but we want to make sure that Daniel Cameron will arrest the cops and officers involved with Breonna Taylor’s death. That’s all I’ve got to say. That’s going to be my answer for every question. For Daniel Cameron to step up and to do what’s right. That’s the only message that I’ve got today. I appreciate everybody. Thanks.

It’s one thing to throw out a blanket statement and call for justice on Twitter. It’s another thing entirely to use a legitimate platform like Harris has to call for a specific action, in this case, justice for Breonna Taylor who was killed in her apartment after authorities had erroneously identified it as a home being used by a drug dealer to receive packages. Though Harris is the most notable athlete to call for direct action this week, he’s not alone in calling for justice. In recent days a group of protestors in Kentucky, Hunger Strikers for Breonna, have declared they will abstain from eating until the officers involved in the shooting are charged.

Response to Harris’ actions came was met with plenty of praise around the league:

We’ll see if any of Tobias’ teammates pick up where he left off the next time the Sixers are made available to the media.

Russ Joy
Russ Joy

Russ Joy is a commercial editor for XLMedia PLC, co-host of Snow The Goalie: A Flyers Podcast and It's Just Wrestling Podcast, and a Philadelphia Flyers writer for CrossingBroad.com. A graduate of West Chester University of PA and California University of PA, Russ is also a husband and father of four. Follow him on Twitter: @JoyOnBroad Email: russell.joy@xlmedia.com

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