The NBA, WNBA and MLS players decline to play due to the shooting of Jacob blake, another black man, by the police

Wednesday’s matches in Major League Soccer were forced to reschedule as players chose not to play in protest of racism and, particularly for the shooting of Jacob Blake, an African American, by police on Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

 

Jacob S. Blake is a 29-year-old black man, hit by four of a massive seven shots fired towards his back during an arrest by Rusten Sheskey, a Kenosha, Wisconsin, police officer. This incident occurred on August 23, 2020, to arrest him over a domestic violence dispute.

The NBA and WNBA players declined to play in support of Black Lives Matter and protest what took place in Kenosha, which included the killing of two protesters Tuesday night.

At first, it seemed as if the Major League Soccer wouldn’t follow suit, as the match between Orlando City SC and Nashville SC went ahead as scheduled. But after players took the field for the Atlanta United and Inter Miami match scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, they decided not to play.

 

The matches following them, starting with the game between Miami and Atlanta United, were canceled that in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake.

 

Initially, the league issued a statement earlier Tuesday condemning racism and inequality but made no mention of postponing games, before later issuing a second statement on Wednesday that read:

 “Major League Soccer has made the decision to postpone the remaining five matches — Miami-Atlanta, Dallas-Colorado, Real Salt Lake-LAFC, San Jose-Portland, LA Galaxy-Seattle — scheduled for this evening. Each match will be rescheduled.”

 

The US President Donald Trump has condemned the resulting protests, while Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has called on the country to come together peacefully to effect change.

“Once again, a Black man — Jacob Blake — was shot by the police. In front of his children. It makes me sick,” Biden tweeted…

 

In an article published on the MLS website, the league called on fans to make their voices heard.

 

“The fight must continue against racism, racial injustice, bigotry, hate and the use of violence by police against the Black community,”