SALT LAKE CITY — Having gone to college at the University of Louisville, Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell has been outspoken in the months since the death of Breonna Taylor by police in Louisville, Kentucky, became national news, even opting to have “Say Her Name” on the back of his jersey as the Jazz played in the NBA’s bubble in Orlando.
Immediately after it was announced Wednesday that the officers involved in her death would not be charged (one officer was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment for shooting into a home next to Taylor’s with people inside, The Associated Press reported), Mitchell wrote on Twitter, “I don’t have many words right now ... but all I can say is I’m praying for the city of Louisville right now!!!.” On Thursday, he wrote a more lengthy message sharing his thoughts.
In a graphic that had a picture of his back so his “Say Her Name” jersey was centrally focused, Mitchell wrote, “I don’t even know where to begin ... to say I’m angry, sad, disgusted is an understatement. ... Louisville is a city that had become my second home so this one feels personal for me.”
Noting that Taylor was killed in her home, Mitchell wrote, “As an African American I am hurting not just for Breonna Taylor but for every victim that has come about due to police brutality. ... We as a country need to do better ... justice needed to be served and it wasn’t at all ...”
Referencing the $12 million settlement Taylor’s family will receive after suing the city of Louisville, Mitchell wrote, “is that what it’s come down to? Money over justice? When will being black stop being a threat?”
Mitchell wrote, “I have cops who are friends and members of my family. I understand there are good cops in our country. But we have to address that there are also cops who see African Americans as threats and that’s unacceptable!”
Alluding to past high-profile instances in which Black people have been killed by police, Mitchell wrote, “This isn’t political it’s simply not being afraid of a child with a toy gun ... a child with a hoodie on ... a woman for sleeping in her bed... a man for going on a jog ... that’s it!!”
Mitchell concluded by writing, “I just wanted to write this small piece to just say Breonna, I’m sorry that the justice system has failed you we haven’t and will not forget your name!”
The NBA All-Star has also changed his Twitter profile picture to one of Taylor.