Unless you are sleeping under a rock, you have heard the news that the grand jury has decided not to indict the police men who have killed Michael Brown and Eric Garner. Numerous protests have occurred throughout the weeks, and one hit the NBA recently. During the Portland Trailblazers game vs. the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, fans left the stadium and began to chant inside the game ” I Can’t Breathe” which was Eric Garners last words, being choked by a NYPD police officer. Ian K. Kullgren of The Oregonian said:
Hundreds of protesters converged on the Rose Quarter Thursday night, chanting “I can’t breathe” at riot police stationed at the Moda Center, to decry a New York grand jury’s decision to not indict a white police officer in the chokehold death of an unarmed black man.
About 500 demonstrators had gathered outside the Moda Center, where approximately 30 police officers in riot gear blocked off the south entrance and limited building access. By the time the Trail Blazers game ended after about 9:15 p.m., police had formed a narrow corridor to allow fans to leave.
Officers returned to the lobby after the post-game exodus, prompting cheers from the demonstrators.
“We won tonight!” a protester yelled over a blowhorn. “But this fight does not end until the laws change.”
Despite all the protests outside, the arena was never on lockdown, and spectators were allowed to leave and enter as they wish.
Crowd of protesters thinning outside Moda Center @KGWNews@trailblazerspic.twitter.com/WFJM6WXdHX
— Mike Benner (@MikeBennerKGW) December 5, 2014
It’s understandable, says Damian Lillard, who was playing during the fans left the game. Watch the full interview here
As an NBA player it must be a tough scene to see your fans leave the game, as a protest not to mention protestors being outside the arena. Lillard took it like a champ telling them that it’s a good way to get a large number of people.
