LeBron James praises Black women after Breonna Taylor decision: ‘I’ll do my best to change this’
The Lakers star showered love and well wishes to Black women across the country, including his wife and daughter
In messages posted on Twitter and Instagram on Wednesday, Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James expressed his mix of feelings about the lack of charges filed against the Louisville police officers responsible for the death of Breonna Taylor.
“I’ve been lost for words today! I’m devastated, hurt, sad, mad! We want Justice for Breonna,” he tweeted, “yet justice was met for her neighbors apartment walls and not her beautiful life. Was I surprised at the verdict. Absolutely not but damnit I was & still am hurt and heavy hearted!”
“I send my love to Breonna mother, family and friends! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!!,” he continued, followed by a parade of emotional emoji.
James was responding publicly to Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron‘s announcement Wednesday that a grand jury had brought no charges against Sgt. John Mattingly and Det. Myles Cosgrove, the two Louisville Metro Police officers who shot and killed Taylor in March while executing a no-knock warrant, determining their actions were justified. A third participant, fired detective Brett Hankison, grand jurors decided, would face charges for shooting into neighboring apartments.
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Hundreds of protesters took to the streets last night in Louisville and major cities like Philadelphia, New York, Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
“The most DISRESPECTED person on earth is THE BLACK WOMAN!” James contended. “I promise you I’ll do my best to change this as much as I can and even more!! LOVE to you QUEENS all over this country and beyond!” A trio of crowned women ranging in hue followed, along with a string of hearts.
The rest of his thread named the monikers of his longtime wife, young daughter and other beloved family members: “Grandma Freda, Gloria Marie, Savannah Rachael, Zhuri Ann Marie Nova I LOVE YOU MY BLACK QUEENS more than life itself!!”
He went on: “Mema Brinson, Deidra Norris, Pam Walker, Tanesha Walker, Chanelle Walker, Brenda Weems, Caddie Powers I LOVE YOU Queens!!!”
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James and his Lakers teammates wore red caps last month akin to the “MAGA” headwear, made infamous by fans of President Donald Trump, theirs reading “Make America Great Again Arrest The Cops Who Killed Breonna Taylor.” He posted images of himself walking into the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the first game of the Western Conference playoffs sporting the cap and wearing a black mask and a shirt, which read “By Any Means.”
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