Washington (AFP)

Washington basketball clubs on Friday engaged in the fight against "racism and oppression" of the black community, calling on their teammates not to stay out of the fight.

The Wizards (NBA) and Mystics (WNBA) teams participated in a march in the American capital to the monument celebrating Martin Luther King, the icon of the fight for civil rights.

The demonstration, which brought together a few hundred people, was organized on the initiative of the players themselves on the day of the 155th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the United States.

A historic movement of anger against racism and police violence has crossed the country in recent months and the death of several African-Americans at the hands of white police.

"We will no longer remain silent in the face of racism, oppression, police violence and black women and men who are killed every day," said Natasha Cloud, 28, who won the Women's Championship last season with the Mystics. .

She called on white players to be "accomplices" to their black teammates. "Being an ally, posting a photo on Instagram is not enough, we need your help in this fight," she said.

Bradley Beal, the star of the Wizards, assured that "we have a voice and a platform, and (this walk) is one of the ways to use it."

Among the battles to be fought include police brutality, racism, two-tier education and reform of the prison system, he added.

"The hardest part is that by finding a solution to one, there will be another," said Bradley Beal. "It takes patience and really committed people for it to change."

The 26-year-old revealed that he himself had been the victim of arbitrary police control two years ago near Washington. "I had done nothing, but he intervened because I was a black sportsman who drove a nice car," he said.

In recent years, athletes have been engaged in the fight against racial and social injustice. NBA star LeBron James wants to promote the vote for black Americans ahead of the presidential election on November 3.

The NBA also announced Friday that June 19 would now be a day off for its employees.

© 2020 AFP