Sports figures are heavy hitters now with their social justice activism. When they speak, their adoring fans, along with gun control advocates, listen. With an assist from Associated Press reports, ESPN News Services compiled examples of athlete involvement with Saturday's March For Our Lives events. Among the big names supporting the marches were, among others, NBA coach Steve Kerr, former NBA players Bill Russell and Steve Nash, Lakers' owner Jeanie Buss and current NBA players Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (at right in photo).
ESPN's story reported, "Protesters are demanding new laws and programs that they believe will curtail mass shootings at schools and elsewhere. Many sports figures participated in the march or urged others to do so ... ." Standing out in the ESPN story were the remarks of the Philadelphia 76ers' rookie Ben Simmons who wore a March For Our Lives t-shirt in pregame warm-ups Saturday night:
"For me growing up in Australia, I think there was a gun ban way back in the day where they bought back the guns and there hasn't been any major shootings and no one carries around guns. You want kids to feel safe going to school."
Gun control advocates frequently cite the Australia government's 1996 purchase of and subsequent destruction of hundreds of thousands of privately owned guns as a game-winning touchdown for gun control. They claim Australia's actions drastically reduced gun crimes. Philip Alpers of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation stole their thunder, though, by reporting that there are now more than a million guns in Australia as many citizens there purchased single-shot guns after previously turning in larger guns. The correct narrative is that with a record number of guns in the land down under presently, the gun crime rate is lower than ever. Far be it from ESPN to report this.
Kerr, the coach of the Golden State Warriors, actually claimed that gun control is a victory for democracy in his tweet:
"Reminder today to get out and march! Thank you to the young generation for inspiring all of us and reminding us that change will only happen through our own will. Register to vote and demand common sense gun laws from any and all potential elected officials! Democracy will win!"
Wade donated $200,000 to send underprivileged kids from Chicago to attend marches:
Russell, the legendary Boston Celtics' Hall of Famer who previously campaigned for liberal U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, implied with a tweet that your right to defend yourself with a gun is an "injustice": "@AMarch4OurLives today I am proud of this generation standing up for injustice & having their voices heard, making real change. The world is listening. Some may not know me but I stand with you".
Nash, who previously advocated for LGBT causes as a member of the Phoenix Suns, tweeted: "I’m marching in LA today. Please find your nearest march and support this life and death matter. #NeverAgain."
Buss tweeted "enough is enough."
On Feb. 14, Nikolas Cruz shot and killed 17 students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Cruz has a history of anger and bizarre behavior which had attracted the attention of school, law enforcement and mental health officials.
