Feb 21, 2020; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) warms up before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center. Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Damian Lillard releases powerful statement after joining Portland protests

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 6/7/20

Trailblazers star Damian Lillard joined in on protests in Portland surrounding racial injustice and police brutality, and now he's being very vocal about the issues on social media.

The 29-year-old released a powerful statement via Twitter on Saturday evening, and he calls police power into question.

If you attack the police then they have the right/reason to arrest you... but when the police attack YOU then you have the right to lay down and beg for your life? ...
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) June 6, 2020

Lillard's statements come after Floyd, an African-American man, died last week after he was violently apprehended by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, the incident recorded on video by a witness.

The 46-year-old Floyd was pinned to the ground by Chauvin, who then proceeded to kneel on his neck, preventing Floyd from breathing. Floyd pleaded for his life and told Chauvin he couldn't breathe, but Chauvin refused to move, as the video showed.

Floyd was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Chauvin was arrested last Friday 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 facing charges.

Other NBA players battling racism include Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown who drove 15 hours to lead peaceful protests in Atlanta alongside Indiana Pacers' Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trailblazers forward Carmelo Anthony who launched a special line of "STAYME7O" products with all proceeds going to the NAACP and Lakers Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who wrote an emotional op-ed for the Los Angeles Times.

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