After an eventful weekend throughout the city of Chicago, the Blackhawks released a statement Monday calling on themselves to work with citizens to confront the problems currently facing society.
“We need to educate ourselves, have more honest conversations and acknowledge that we have a lot of work to do, starting with our own organization,” the Hawks stated.
“Chicago has been our home since 1926, and we need to work harder to build a more equitable Chicago for all our citizens.”
A statement from the Chicago Blackhawks. pic.twitter.com/1hEki2Yk3J
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 1, 2020
Protests from the Loop to the South Side drew thousands of activists, angered by last week’s death of George Floyd at the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer, together on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday’s initially peaceful protest escalated into a riot in the evening and night hours, with police cars burned and more than a hundred stores looted. Similar patterns of looting spread throughout the rest of the city and suburbs Sunday, even while peaceful protests marched elsewhere, with the downtown area shut down by police.
“Our thoughts are with the family of George Floyd and the many others who have experienced similar devastating losses,” the Hawks said. “Our thoughts are also with the many hardworking people and small businesses who have suffered over the past several days.”
“There is no tolerance for racism and inequity in our city and society.”
The Hawks’ statement came after the NHL released its own statement Sunday in support of protestors.
“The NHL stands with all those who are working to achieve a racially just society, and against all those who perpetuate and uphold racism, hatred, bigotry and violence,” the NHL’s statement read. “In our own sport, we will continue to do better and work diligently toward culture change.”
Hawks forward Zack Smith also spoke out in a statement posted Monday on Twitter and Instagram.
My thoughts I felt compelled to share. pic.twitter.com/OcvJ1B7UyT
— Zack Smith (@Smit_Treat15) June 1, 2020
Smith — an Alberta, Canada, native — acknowledged that many hockey players often fear speaking out or sharing their opinions during interviews, but that the gravity of the current situation requires different behavior.
“As a privileged white man playing in the NHL (a predominantly white league), I feel it’s as important now as ever to show support for the black community and encourage change,” Smith said. “If you think the current way black people and other minorities are treated here is OK, you are a racist.”
