Last night's playoff game in Pheonix was historical. Led by Captain Canada and two time NBA MVP-Steve Nash, the Pheonix Suns rose above their sport by taking a stand against the new racist immigration law in Arizona. Thousands marched down the street outside the game, thousands more wore Los Suns jerseys in the stands, in the march and on the streets. The game itself was close and Los Suns held on to win. But winners and losers, players and spectators, marchers, newcasters, and viewers alike were all a part of basketball rising above its normal sphere of entertainment and soaring like an eagle above Pheonix and above the fear and bigotry of racism.Below are a few quotes from today's news about last night's gesture by Los Suns:
Two-time MVP point guard Steve Nash, who in 2003 became the first athlete to go on record against the Iraq war, said: "I think the law is very misguided. I think it is unfortunately to the detriment to our society and our civil liberties and I think it is very important for us to stand up for things we believe in. I think the law obviously can target opportunities for racial profiling. Things we don't want to see and don't need to see in 2010."
On Tuesday the news came forth that on Cinco de Mayo, the team would be wearing jerseys that say simply Los Suns. Team owner Robert Sarver said, after talking to the team, that this will be an act of sartorial solidarity against the bill. Their opponent, the San Antonio Spurs, have made clear that they support the gesture.
This kind of political intervention by a sports team is without precedent and now every athlete and every team has an opening to stand up and be heard. Because when it's all said and done, this isn't just a battle for the soul of Arizona. It's a battle for the soul of the United States. Here come the Suns indeed.
'Los Suns' Set Against Arizona's Immigration Law - The Phoenix Suns basketball team takes a public stand against Arizona's law that promotes racial profiling of immigrants.
