PHOENIX, AZ - AUGUST 23: Plenette Pierson #33 of the New York Liberty handles the ball during the WNBA game against the Phoenix Mercury at US Airways Center on August 23, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Liberty defeated the Mercury 74-70.
With the WNBA slated to start its season later this month, on Monday, the league and the WNBPA agreed to have the names of women who have been killed in incidents related to racial violence or police brutality of their jerseys instead of the players’ names.
This decision comes on the heels of a new league initiative called “The Social Justice Movement” to help with social justice issues in communities across the nation.
Some of the names that will be featured on players jerseys, include Beonna Taylor, who was killed by police officers at her home while she was sleeping back in March, and Sandra Bland, who was found dead in her jail cell back in 2015.
Players will also wear warm-up shirts with the phrases “Black Lives Matter” and “Say Her Name.” The league will also have “Black Lives Matter” displayed on the court at their games this season.
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