Rising FC’s Zac Lubin joins Arizona athletes to speak out against racism
Jun 14, 2020, 2:33 PM | Updated: 2:42 pm
(Photo courtesy of Ashley Orellana)
(Photo courtesy of Ashley Orellana)
Over the last two weeks, many athletes, coaches and teams have used their platforms to speak out against racial injustice in the wake of the death of George Floyd, who died in the custody of police officers in Minneapolis.
As tensions reached a high with weekend protests across the country, including in Phoenix and Tucson, sports figures in the state of Arizona issued formal statements to condemn racism and promote change.
Here they are, collected from their social media accounts and official releases:
Phoenix Rising FC goalkeeper Zac Lubin
Lubin joined PRFC supporter groups Los Bandidos and Red Fury during Saturday night’s protests in Phoenix.
“Humbled and inspired by yesterday’s rally,” Lubin wrote in a tweet on Sunday.
“Even more so to join with Los Bandidos and Red Fury. I hear your voices every weekend, never louder than it was this weekend fighting for equality.”
Humbled and inspired by yesterday’s rally. Even more so to join with @BandidosPHX & @RedFuryPHX I hear your voices every weekend, never louder than it was this weekend fighting for #equality #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/txgsP9gvRs
— Zac Lubin (@ZLubin28) June 14, 2020
Phoenix Suns center Aron Baynes
Baynes released an open letter on his social media accounts Wednesday, opening up about his personal life and his experiences of learning more about racism as he grew older.
The pursuit for equality is a global issue, a fight for our human race, our country, our community, our colleagues, our friends. I will do all I can within my own sphere of influence to make sure love, acceptance and understanding are paramount and that ignorance has no place. pic.twitter.com/bcpzuRnOrG
— Aron Baynes (@aronbaynes) June 4, 2020
As I’ve grown older and I’ve earned great opportunity in life, I’ve worked to educate myself and become a better citizen to all people of the world.
As a father and as a man, I now know that I have a voice to be heard when I see injustice and I will not stand for it. Ignorance is not a crutch.
Phoenix Suns SG Devin Booker
Devin Booker posted the following message on his Instagram story.
“I’m deeply hurt. I’m also very frustrated because this hasn’t changed after generations of pain, suffering, injustice, fear, inequality…and the list goes on. After days of conversations with friends and loved ones, I don’t have an answer. I worry about how this is going to get better because this is our flawed system. It’s a system built upon racism…one race oppressing the other. The repeated cycle of the same things over and over. We don’t have our “leadership” to guide us but regardless it is time for a change. We need justice for Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. RIP”
Arizona Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson
Peterson demanded change in his strongly-worded message. He also pleaded for protests to continue non-violently.
“How many times will our leaders stand by and watch as our anger spills over into the streets to cause unnecessary havoc in our communities? Not for publicity, not for politics, not for personal interest. BUT FOR THE LIVES OF AMERICANS!???!!
“How can you expect us to come to any other conclusion than that we ARE NOT VALUED EQUALLY because of the color of our skin?? WE DEMAND CHANGE!”
This was not easy for me. I had to take some time to make sure my anger from the tragic #GeorgeFloyd situation was under control before speaking out. I have a responsibility to share my thoughts as an influential black man in America. This is how I feel. WE NEED & DEMAND CHANGE!! pic.twitter.com/KWJo6VOBd5
— Patrick Peterson /P2 (@P2) June 1, 2020
Arizona Cardinals DT Corey Peters
especially by police officers, should make everyone angry. The overwhelming feeling I have on this travesty is sadness. Sadness that black people are being killed in the streets, sadness that peaceful protests are being hijacked by people looking to start trouble,
— Corey M. Peters (@CoreyPeters91) June 2, 2020
Police are paid with our tax dollars and should represent our values as a community. Take note of the silence or empty statements from our elected officials. Do they represent your values? I encourage you to take the same energy to the polls and hold them all accountable.
— Corey M. Peters (@CoreyPeters91) June 2, 2020
Generally, I like to give people the grace to do what they feel is right. IN this instance I think its imperative that everyone shares their voice. Black people have been fighting for basic human rights since the inception of this country.
— Corey M. Peters (@CoreyPeters91) June 2, 2020
As I see people pour into the street I’m proud to stand with them and fight the good fight as long as it takes. I hope you are willing to stand with me. I’m praying for our country and my fellow Americans.
— Corey M. Peters (@CoreyPeters91) June 2, 2020
Phoenix Mercury forward Brianna Turner
Turner spoke from her perspective as a daughter of two black law enforcement officers.
…racial injustice within this country. My parents are black AND police officers. Off-Duty though I do worry about my dad. He’s a 6’6 dark skin black guy, no different looking than how people would physically describe #GeorgeFloyd People don’t know he’s an officer…
— Brianna Turner (@_Breezy_Briii) May 31, 2020
…police brutality does not make you anti-police. I’m for police departments holding one another accountable, I’m for better racial bias training, I’m for better training in engaging with protestors. I’m not for fearing for my parents lives on and off the clock…
— Brianna Turner (@_Breezy_Briii) May 31, 2020
ASU men’s basketball coach Bobby Hurley
“George Floyd is one of too many. It’s heartbreaking. It’s unacceptable. It must end,” read Hurley’s tweet from Saturday.
George Floyd is one of too many. It’s heartbreaking. It’s unacceptable. It must end.
— Bobby Hurley (@BobbyHurley11) May 30, 2020
Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams
Through the Suns, Williams released a letter discussing the emotions of anger, fear and pain that he’s felt since Floyd’s death.
“I’m distraught as I look at my boys – two are African American and one is Caucasian – because too many people see them differently,” read part of Williams’ letter. “None of them should have to think about how law enforcement will treat them if pulled over for rolling through a stop sign. None of them should be followed through a department store by security. None of them should feel the sweat rolling down their back when a cop follows them for blocks. Alas, their worlds are different, and something is wrong with that.
“Don’t misread me. I have as much respect for most law enforcement as I do disdain for some of the would-be protesters.
“To those who have sworn to protect and serve ALL people regardless of color, religion or sexual orientation, I say thank you. We have an institutional problem with pervasive racism. It must end now.”
Phoenix Mercury coach Sandy Brondello
“How can change happen? First, we have to stop being ignorant and all come together to make the changes so that we can not only say black lives matter, but all of our actions and attitudes can demonstrate that we truly believe black lives matter,” the Mercury head coach wrote.
My Thoughts: pic.twitter.com/Csd2gAiEf3
— Sandy Brondello (@SBrondello) June 1, 2020
Arizona State baseball coach Tracy Smith
“Truth be told, I cannot find accurate words to describe what I am feeling. What repeatedly comes to my mind is …. ‘We need to shut up and LISTEN to those who are in pain!'” Smith writes on Twitter.
My Statement… pic.twitter.com/l1u7A17Ya6
— Tracy Smith (@ASUSkip) June 1, 2020
Arizona Cardinals
“Meaningful societal change will only come through unified actions and we are committed to being part of that change,” the NFL team’s statement read.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) June 1, 2020
Arizona Diamondbacks
“… We cannot stand for reacism, nor can we be silent when we see it,” the D-backs wrote.
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 1, 2020
Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes condemned “racism, bigotry, violence and prejudice,” adding they embraced their role “to all communities of color to not stay silent.”
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) June 1, 2020
Phoenix Rising FC
The Valley’s USL Championship team issued a message of unity and anti-racism on Saturday.
“Together we rise.
“We rise against bigotry. We rise against injustice. We rise against violence. We rise against racism.
“We rise to stand with the Black Community.
“#RisingAsOne”
#RisingAsOne pic.twitter.com/J1fqUXGSsQ
— Phoenix Rising FC | Rising Together But Separate (@PHXRisingFC) May 31, 2020
Arizona football coach Kevin Sumlin
Sumlin wrote a two-part message posted to his Twitter account on Sunday.
“In the time that has passed since George Floyd’s death, my emotions have run from immense anger to frustration; horror to resolve; sadness to hope,” the coach wrote.
“Being a college head coach, blessed to earn more than I ever could have imagined, does not make me immune to the same suspicious stares, to the same fears of being pulled over, to the same assumptions that others make of me, to the same racist remarks sent in my direction, simply because I am black.”
Two of two. pic.twitter.com/11BrnqprQk
— Kevin Sumlin (@CoachSumlin) May 31, 2020
Arizona women’s basketball coach Adia Barnes
The Wildcats’ women’s basketball coach expressed anger, pain and frustration in her letter. She asked for change.
“It is my duty to unite, empower and educate women to have an effective voice to inspire change. This is much bigger than basketball, and we must all be a part of the change,” she ended her letter.
My thoughts. pic.twitter.com/NIMlVOE0Mu
— ADIA BARNES 🐻⬇️🌵🌞 (@AdiaBarnes) May 31, 2020
Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury
The pro basketball teams issued a joint statement on Saturday alongside Williams’ letter.
“Another chapter in the long history of social injustice and systemic racism in our country has been written. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery are just the most recent souls we have lost to the brutality driven by hate and prejudice,” the beginning of the message read.
“The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury organizations stand alongside those who will fight for justice, inclusion, and the suppression of bigotry.”
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) May 31, 2020
Arizona State football coach Herm Edwards
Edwards released this video on Tuesday.
“When America huddles up, we are a powerful team,” he wrote.
When America huddles up, we are a powerful team.
✊🏼✊✊✊🏾✊🏽✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/JlhLL7CBgh— Herm Edwards (@HermEdwards) June 2, 2020
