For the second time this NBA preseason, there was a protest against racial injustices during the national anthem — and it came from the person singing the anthem itself.

Prior to a preseason game between the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers in Miami on Friday night, singer Denasia Lawrence stood at midcourt, preparing to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” But before she did, she unbuttoned her teal jacket to reveal a Black Lives Matter shirt beneath. She then went down on one knee and sang the anthem.

“Right now, we’re seeing a war on Black & Brown bodies —we’re being unjustly killed and overly criminalized,” she wrote on Twitter. “I took the opportunity to sing AND kneel; to show that we belong in this country AND that we have the right to respectfully protest injustices against us.”



Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article109967772.html#storylink=cpy



Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article109967772.html#storylink=cpy

Lawrence is just the latest in a series of many athletes and activists who have either knelt or raised their fists during the anthem at pro sporting events in protest of what they see as widespread racial oppression. The movement began with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and has since taken place in the other NFL stadiums and arenas around the country . La

Earlier this preseason, anthem singer Leah Tysse knelt for the final few lines of the song prior to a game between the Sacramento Kings and an Israeli professional team. But Lawrence went a step further in wearing a Black Lives Matter t-shirt. She also issued a strongly-worded statement after the game.

“Right now, we’re seeing a war on Black & Brown bodies —we’re being unjustly killed and overly criminalized,” she wrote on Twitter. “I took the opportunity to sing AND kneel; to show that we belong in this country AND that we have the right to respectfully protest injustices against us.”



Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article109967772.html#storylink=cpy

wrence is just the latest in a series of many athletes and activists who have either knelt or raised their fists during the anthem at pro sporting events in protest of what they see as widespread racial oppression. The movement began with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and has since taken place in the other NFL stadiums and arenas around the country

Earlier this preseason, anthem singer Leah Tysse knelt for the final few lines of the song prior to a game between the Sacramento Kings and an Israeli professional team. But Lawrence went a step further in wearing a Black Lives Matter t-shirt. She also issued a strongly-worded statement after the game.