Michael Jordan releases strong statement on police-involved shootings and pledges 2 huge donations
Michael Jordan on Monday released a moving, personal statement in which he spoke out against the recent wave of police-related deaths across the country.
"I have been deeply troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by the cowardly and hateful targeting and killing of police officers," Jordan wrote in a blog post on ESPN's The Undefeated.
He continued: "I know this country is better than that, and I can no longer stay silent. We need to find solutions that ensure people of color receive fair and equal treatment AND that police officers — who put their lives on the line every day to protect us all — are respected and supported."
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In order to support the cause, Jordan said he would make contributions to two organizations: the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, as well as the International Association of Chiefs of Police's new Institute for Community-Police Relations.
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"Although I know these contributions alone are not enough to solve the problem, I hope the resources will help both organizations make a positive difference," Jordan said.
Over the past several weeks, several police-related deaths have rocked the country.
Philando Castile, a 32-year-old black man, was killed by police officers in Minnesota while in his car. And in Baton Rogue, Louisiana, 37-year-old black man Alton Sterling was shot to death while being held on the ground by police. Then, i n Dallas, Texas, five police officers were killed by a sniper amid an otherwise peaceful protest. In Baton Rouge earlier this month, a man killed three cops and wounded three more.
People Killed by Police in the US in 2016 Graphiq
Over the course of his career, Jordan has been notoriously apolitical. His statement on Monday certainly marks a departure, and is worth reading in full.
See images of Michael Jordan through the years:
