The weight of systemic racism in the U.S. is weighing heavily on Klay Thompson.
The Golden State Warriors star paid tribute to Elijah McClain on Thursday. Thompson, 30, expressed his heartache for McClain, 23, who died after being detained by police in Colorado last year.
RELATED: Yara Shahidi On Building A ‘Foundation For Inclusivity’
“There is no debate that men, women and children of colour are ‘policed’ to a much harsher and catastrophic standard than white America,” Thompson wrote. “Waking up to the news of another murder of an unarmed brother, sister, mother, father or friend is so mentally draining and demoralizing and sometimes feels like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.”
“But there is,” the basketball player assured. “It will take so much work and effort from conscious citizens across the globe. So many institutions need restructuring (voting rights, police procedures, minority representation in politics).”
Ellen DeGeneres and Alyssa Milano also urged the public to inform themselves about McClain’s case.
RELATED: Stevie Wonder Talks Black Lives Matter In A Candid Twitter Post
Read what happened to #ElijahMcClain, and ask yourself what you would do if it happened to someone you knew. #JusticeForElijahMcClain https://t.co/ckb6ybWrWI pic.twitter.com/5FQ9SNz50L
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) June 24, 2020
This is Elijah McClain. These were his last words before he was murdered. Say his name. #DefundThePolice #BlackLivesMattters pic.twitter.com/3Mnhgy1JFa
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) June 25, 2020
“Terminator” star and former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger shared a petition seeking justice for McClain.
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) June 25, 2020
McClain was stopped by police on his way home from a convenience store on August 24, 2019. Officers were responding to a 9-1-1 call about a “suspicious person.” Colorado Governor Jared Polis has promised that his administration will re-examine the case.
