If not for the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Los Angeles Dodgers would have hosted the Atlanta Braves in a three-game series finale at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night. But instead of playing their 61st game of the season, the Dodgers joined Angelenos in remembering George Floyd.
In conjunction with supporters across Los Angeles, the Dodgers turned on the lights at Dodger Stadium for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, beginning at 9 p.m. The gesture was in recognition of the amount of time a Minneapolis police officer pinned his knee to Floyd’s neck.
An independent autopsy determined Floyd died due to “asphyxiation from sustained pressure” while in police custody. His death ignited protests across the country as citizens have banded together to address police brutality and systemic racism.
Some of those demonstrations, especially over the weekend throughout Souther California, served as cover for groups of looters who simply looked to take advantage of the social movement. That has subsided this week, which made for a positive day leading up to the lights demonstration.
WATCH LIVE: The Dodger Stadium lights were on for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in recognition of #GeorgeFloyd tonight. https://t.co/mKA59506vV pic.twitter.com/WnwyMDEdIr
— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) June 4, 2020
The Dodgers are among several professional sports teams to address Floyd’s death and the fallout. “As we stood with Jackie Robinson to overcome the barrier of racism in our sport, we now stand with all Americans who will no longer tolerate the evils of racism and social injustice in our society,” they said in a statement.
“We must remain dedicated to the pursuit of freedom, equality, and justice for all.”
Tonight, the Dodgers joined families across Los Angeles in shining our Dodger Stadium lights into the sky at 9 pm for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in recognition of George Floyd. The Dodgers join all Angelenos in this peaceful display of unity to shine a light in the darkness. pic.twitter.com/sGlM6UpuXi
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 4, 2020
Several members of the Dodgers organization have also used their platform to call for change, including Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, Clayton Kershaw, David Price, Justin and Kourtney Turner, among others.
Wednesday’s show of support marked a second time this month that Dodger Stadium was utilized for a positive message. The Dodgers teamed with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to create a Fallen Heroes Lights display at Dodger Stadium for Memorial Day.
Thousands of lights were placed in the outfield, with each one honoring a fallen veteran. The lights, which turned Dodger Stadium red white and blue, also symbolized families of deceased military members that are supported by TAPS in the state of California.
In April, the Dodgers turned Chavez Ravine blue in recognition of healthcare workers.
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