New Orleans Pelicans and Saints owner Gayle Benson was one of the final teams in the NBA to release a statement on Monday in response to the protests in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis last week. Though they were one of the last, the Pelicans offered one of the stronger responses in a variety of ways.
One week ago today, George Floyd was tragically and senselessly murdered. Anger, sadness and protest followed throughout our nation in response to this unjust murder. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of George Floyd.
There are no written words, nor the timing of those words that can properly honor the life of George Floyd. We stand against police brutality in any form. Statements are words; unified action towards a solution is what needs to come from this now.
Benson would go on to discuss some of the ways the Saints and Pelicans organizations have supported the community, specifically with regards to Saints linebacker Demario Davis’ projects while also donating office space to Operation Restoration, described in the release as “a program empowering women impacted by incarceration to successfully re-enter the community.”
Most notably, though, was the noted discussions held with Pelicans guards Lonzo Ball and JJ Redick and Davis and the formation of the Social Justice Leadership Coalition that will include those three athletes.
