Nationals' Sean Doolittle takes part in racial injustice protests
In the week following George Floyd's death, many protests have broken out surrounding racial injustice and police brutality in America. Many Major League Baseball players have spoken out about the issues, and now Washington Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle is taking a stand.
The 33-year-old participated in protests on Saturday, and even posted photos to Twitter of what appears to be a peaceful movement.
Among other MLB players who have spoken up are St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty, who called for police to be held more accountable, New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso — who vowed to not remain silent about racial discrimination — and Washington Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle, who also has called for social change.
Floyd, an African-American man, died while in Minneapolis police custody on May 25. The 46-year-old Floyd was pinned to the ground by officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyd's neck, inhibiting him from breathing. The incident was caught on a phone video by a witness.
As Floyd pleaded for his life — even telling officer Chauvin multiple times he couldn't breathe — Chauvin refused to move off his neck.
Floyd was later pronounced dead at the hospital, and Chauvin was arrested on charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. On June 3, Chauvin's charge was upgraded to second-degree murder, and three other now-former officers who were on the scene are also facing charges.
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