The WNBA and WNBPA announced the launch of their latest platform The Justice Movement and the creation of the WNBA/WNBPA Social Justice Council.
This new initiative, which was announced early Monday, is designed to continue to amplify the voices across the league. The mission of the Social Justice Council is to be a driving force of necessary and continuing conversations about race, voting rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy and gun control to go along with others.
WNBA announces a 2020 season dedicated to social justice with games honoring the Black Lives Matter movement and the #SAYHERNAME campaign.
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— WNBA (@WNBA) July 6, 2020
The Social Justice Council plans to provide and collaborate through community efforts and conversations, virtual roundtables, player-produced podcasts in addition to other programs aimed at focusing on our country's long history of inequality and systemic racism. The WNBA and WNBPA will work with educators, activist and community leaders to work to build bridges and create real change within our country.
“We are incredibly proud of WNBA players who continue to lead with their inspiring voices and effective actions in the league’s dedicated fight against systemic racism and violence,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert per release. “Working together with the WNBPA and the teams, the league aims to highlight players’ social justice efforts throughout the 2020 season and beyond. Systemic change can’t happen overnight, but it is our shared responsibility to do everything we can to raise awareness and promote the justice we hope to see in society.
A weekend of competition will be dedicated and centered around the Black Lives Matter movement and teams are expected to have special uniforms to promote justice for Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor, Vanessa Guillen and many more who have been victims of police brutality. "Black Lives Matter" is to be displayed across all courts during WNBA games this season.
The 22-game WNBA season will take place at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The league plans to provide programming in conjunction with the season to connect players with each other and their communities.
