August 2020
Jacob Blake, 29, was shot seven times in the back by Kenosha, WI officer Rusten Sheskey on August 23, 2020, as Blake walked to his car where his children were seated. Blake was partially paralyzed from the shooting. No criminal charges were filed against Sheskey. The shooting occurred during an ongoing period of protests following Breonna Taylor's death. Kenosha erupted in protests; two nights later, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse shot and killed two protesters and wounded one. Rittenhouse was acquitted in 2021.
On August 26, 2020, three days after Jacob Blake was shot in the back seven times by Kenosha police, the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the court for a playoff game, sparking a wildcat strike across the NBA. Games across the NBA, WNBA, MLS, and MLB were postponed. The WNBA and NBA players negotiated commitments from team owners including use of arenas as polling places, commitments to social justice funds, and creation of a social justice coalition. The action was the largest sports work stoppage over racial justice since Muhammad Ali refused military induction in 1967.
Events
- August 23, 2020Jacob Blake Shot Seven Times in the Back by Kenosha Police
Jacob Blake, 29, was shot seven times in the back by Kenosha, WI officer Rusten Sheskey on August 23, 2020, as Blake walked to his car where his children were seated. Blake was partially paralyzed from the shooting. No criminal charges were filed against Sheskey. The shooting occurred during an ongoing period of protests following Breonna Taylor's death. Kenosha erupted in protests; two nights later, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse shot and killed two protesters and wounded one. Rittenhouse was acquitted in 2021.
- August 26, 2020NBA Players Refuse to Play in Bubble Protest of Jacob Blake Shooting
On August 26, 2020, three days after Jacob Blake was shot in the back seven times by Kenosha police, the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the court for a playoff game, sparking a wildcat strike across the NBA. Games across the NBA, WNBA, MLS, and MLB were postponed. The WNBA and NBA players negotiated commitments from team owners including use of arenas as polling places, commitments to social justice funds, and creation of a social justice coalition. The action was the largest sports work stoppage over racial justice since Muhammad Ali refused military induction in 1967.