Yahoo Finance Kyrie Irving produces TV special alongside Common calling for action for Breonna Taylor
Kyrie Irving has advocated for action from NBA players to use their platforms to advance social justice causes.
Now, he’s following through.
The Brooklyn Nets star is a producer on a TV special titled “#SayHerName: Breonna Taylor” that will air Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET on PlayersTV. The network announced the show in a news release Tuesday morning.
Rapper Common and journalist Jemele Hill will also appear on the program alongside Irving, as well as Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza.
“In a time when society is calling out police brutality, social injustices, and systemic racism, it is critical to magnify how these unjust behaviors and practices are directly impacting Black women,” Irving wrote in the statement. “I stand for Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland and the countless women whose names are never said but have shared the same unfortunate fate.”
Taylor fatally shot in her own home
Taylor was shot and killed on March 13 when police entered her Louisville home on a no-knock warrant. She was 26 years old. Her death prompted protests in the streets in recent weeks alongside those calling for justice for George Floyd.
Officer Brett Hankison was fired for her death. Louisville Police Chief Robert Schroeder said that Hankinson “wantonly and blindly” fired 10 shots into Taylor’s apartment. He does not face criminal charges.
Program to call for charges against officers
The program will make specific calls for action, including promoting voter registration, a petition demanding justice for Taylor and calls to Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron demanding charges against the officers involved in the shooting.
The WNBA will also honor Taylor by using her name on uniforms as part of the league’s broader social justice initiative during the 2020 season.
Irving is not participating in the NBA’s bubble at Disney World as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury. He has also questioned the NBA’s decision to restart, arguing that players should use their time to advocate for social justice instead of playing basketball.
PlayersTV is a fledgling network that debuted in March on SamsungTV featuring content produced by current and former athletes.
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