As Major League Baseball and the Players Association work on agreeing to an economic plan and health and safety protocols for a 2020 regular season, their dispute has come against a backdrop of unrest and calls for action across the United States.
There has been a groundswell of action nationwide since video surfaced of a Minnesota police offer keeping his knee on the neck of George Floyd, who then died in custody. The heinous act sparked protests as citizens seek an end for police brutality and racism.
Several professional athletes and teams have shared messaging in support of those calling for reform, and Mookie Betts joined those with his own comments.
Betts’ message was accompanied by a promotional video from Nike that incorporated a ‘Don’t Do It’ tagline to spin off the company’s famed ‘Just Do It’ slogan.
Beginning last week with protests that shut down a portion of the 101 freeway, Los Angeles and surrounding cities have witnessed daily protests in response to Floyd’s death. Unfortunately, those have also provided cover for citizens more interested in looting and vandalism.
The unsafe setting led to the closure of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing locations throughout the city of Los Angeles. Included in that is the Dodger Stadium location, which just opened last week.
“We’re excited to do this because this builds on the work we’ve been doing for the past weeks and months,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said at the official opening. “We want testing to be easy, accessible and free for everybody here in Los Angeles. We don’t have to you to have to wait in long lines.
“We’re not slowing up. We’re not letting up. And today’s opening of this site at Dodger Stadium is proof of that. “So, if you want to get tested, you can. Whether you have symptoms, no symptoms, mild symptoms. Don’t let something hold you back from getting a test.”
The hope is looting and vandalism will quickly end, allowing for the important messages to rise to the forefront and testing locations to safely re-open.
