The death of George Floyd has sparked many athletes to voice their opinions, demand change, and to speak out against racism. Washington Capitals players took to social media expressing their thoughts as well as participating in “Blackout Tuesday”, which is a music industry protest that made its way into popular culture.
Alex Ovechkin
RIP George Floyd 💔so sad to see what happening everywhere and DC!! it is so important for us to respect and love each other no matter what we look like!!!! We need listen and do change…pls stay safe….take care each other and family 🙏🙏🙏
— Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8) June 2, 2020
Tom Wilson
Wilson made a donation to the East Of The River Mutual Aid Fund and to the Fort Dupont Cannons Hockey Program:
Black Lives Matter. There is no place for racism and hate in our world. After taking some time to think about the best way to offer my support, I’ve decided that one way to start is to take action in my own community. I will be making a donation to the “East Of The River Mutual Aid Fund” as well as to the Fort Dupont Cannons Hockey Program. The Cannons, based in DC, are the oldest minority hockey program in the country. I am contributing to these funds today, but I am committing to learn, to listen, and to support going forward.
— Tom Wilson (@tom_wilso) June 3, 2020
T.J. Oshie
Lars Eller
Shane Gersich
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA8jIGanH8m/?utm_source=ig_embed
Liam O’Brien
#blackouttuesday pic.twitter.com/rcQRFNi4VL
— Liam O’Brien (@OfficialBigTuna) June 2, 2020
Axel Jonsson-Fjällby
John Carlson
Brenden Dillon
— Brenden Dillon (@BDillon04) June 3, 2020
Jonas Siegenthaler
The Holtbys
I stare at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, spanning across the Potomac River. From Virginia it leads into Maryland, into Prince George’s County. One of the most affluent Black counties in America. And here a monstrous bridge stands, named after a racist president. A president who was an outspoken white supremacist. Who segregated federal workers based on race. The bridge sits there mocking every black person who has to travel across it while reading that name as a reminder of how much pain has been inflicted on their race. And yet, the society that has inflicted that pain seems proud of it. Proud enough to name a bridge in a white supremacists honor.
The injustice and hatred infused power we’ve seen recently is anything but new. To say there have been improvements is very naive. In today’s age of information and communication at our fingertips the change is far too minimal. The amount of inhumane, hate based, racial crimes that have been committed in the centuries of American history is enough to make your skin crawl in discomfort and your eyes well with tears. Yet it’s still happening. In 2020. It should never happen. Yet it still is.
So now what? Where do we go from here? As a person who definitely falls into the white privileged category, I know I will never truly know what it’s like to walk in a black man’s shoes. But I know that I have arms, and ears, and a voice to walk beside and listen to every word of anguish and give my strength to every black man, woman, or child until their shoes weigh the same as mine.
For everyone standing up and marching for what is right, your voices are not going unheard. You’re bringing pride to every person who believes in the universal value of a human being. Keep fighting, and I vow to demonstrate and educate what you are fighting for. Not only to myself but my children, family and anyone else who will listen. Because America will never be great until all BLACK lives matter.
I couldn’t find the words to say. And still haven’t. But I had to try. #BlackLivesMattter pic.twitter.com/skd8Zfs6ff
— Braden Holtby (@Holts170) June 3, 2020
#JusticeforGeorgesFloyd #JusticeforAhmaudArbery #JusticeforBreonnaTaylor #BlackLivesMatter
Stay Safe, DC.
-Braden & Brandi Holtby
— Brandi Holtby (@bbholtby) June 2, 2020
The Capitals
Former Capitals Players
Devante Smith-Pelly
Brett Connolly
Photo: @bconnolly8
— Brett Connolly (@bconnolly8) June 3, 2020
Mike Green
Brooks Laich
Nathan Walker
Madison Bowey
By Della Young
