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U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) wants the NBA to
expand the approved messages players can choose to wear on the
backs of their jerseys when the season restarts on July 30 near
Orlando.
Last week, the NBA and the players union agreed on 29 messages
the players may wear, all geared toward social justice. They
include Black Lives Matter -- which will be painted on all
courts -- Say Their Names, I Can't Breathe, Enough, Power to the
People, Justice Now and How Many More.
But in a letter to commissioner Adam Silver dated Friday, Hawley
asked the league to include statements in support of police and
the military, as well as residents of Hong Kong who want to be
free from China's rule.
"You have crossed the line of sanctioning specific political
messages," Hawley told Silver. "There is no avoiding the work of
clarifying the association's values now. This is a time for you
to make clear what your league believes about human rights and
the nation that is your home. Your silence on these questions
speaks volumes."
Hawley added: "Let your players stand up for the people of Hong
Kong. Let them stand up for American law enforcement if they
choose. Give them the choice to write 'Back the Blue' on their
jerseys. Or 'Support our Troops.' Maybe 'God Bless America.'
What could be more American than that?"
--Field Level Media
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