The killing of George Floyd—an unarmed black man slain by a white Minneapolis police officer on May 25—has sparked protests around the United States and the world. Floyd uttered, “I can’t breathe,” as the officer held his knee on his neck for nearly nine consecutive minutes. This happened two months after police killed Breonna Taylor, an unarmed black woman, in her apartment on March 13, and three months after white Georgia residents killed Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed black man, while he was out for a run on February 23. Protesters are now calling for justice, police reform, and acknowledgement that black lives matter. The Ringer’s coverage captures snapshots of protests and examines efforts around the country to effect change.
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Our Coverage of the Nationwide Protests Against Racism and Police Brutality
Demonstrations across America are calling for justice and reform following the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery
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August 26, 2020
NBA, WNBA Players Stage Playoff Strike Days After Police Shoot Jacob Blake
The Milwaukee Bucks declined to take the court for Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Magic to protest the shooting in Wisconsin and police brutality in the United States, leading to the postponement of Wednesday’s games
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July 13, 2020
One Night in D.C.: The Oral History of June 1, 2020
A day of peaceful protesting against the police killing of George Floyd turned violent in the nation’s capital, as President Trump forced people away from the area surrounding the White House. Here’s how a photo op became a flashpoint in the movement against racism.
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June 30, 2020
The Impact and Evolution of College Football Player Protest
Protest in college football is nearly as old as the sport itself, but change has come slowly. What can the experiences of groups like the Syracuse 8 tell us about the realities for player activists today?
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June 29, 2020
The Spirit of Rebellion Grows During America’s Summer of Protest
The killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many other Black citizens has galvanized another generation of organizers to take to the streets
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June 24, 2020
The Problem With Trying to Force Protest Music
In the wake of the uprisings stemming from the killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, dozens of new songs have tried to make a statement. But few—if any—have captured the moment.
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June 18, 2020
“She Loved Who She Was Becoming”: Breonna Taylor and a Family’s Fight for Justice
More than three months after Louisville police killed Taylor in her home, the officers have yet to be arrested. Now, a quiet family and community are at the center of a national and global movement demanding change.
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June 15, 2020
The NFL’s Colin Kaepernick Excuses Look Even More Damning in Retrospect
Kaepernick always deserved a job in the league. Don’t forget how its teams tried to pretend otherwise.
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June 12, 2020
Nikole Hannah-Jones on George Floyd and the History of Systemic Racism in America
Plus, Larry weighs in on the movement to defund the police
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June 11, 2020
Malcolm Brogdon on Being Black in America, Doubts About the NBA’s Return, and Drafting Stories
The Pacers guard joins the show to discuss this time of civil unrest in America, what has inspired him to be an activist, the NBA’s July return, and more
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June 11, 2020
The BTS Army and the Transformative Power of Fandom As Activism
After shutting down a Dallas Police Department app and donating more than $1 million to the Black Lives Matter movement, it’s clear that K-pop fans are a legitimate force to be reckoned with. But this shouldn’t exactly be a surprise—fervent fan bases have always been particularly equipped to force change.
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June 9, 2020
How Will the NFL React to a New Wave of Player Activism?
Roger Goodell’s statement and the reactions to Drew Brees’s comments show the conversation around protests has shifted. Will those changes carry into the season if demonstrations happen again?
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June 9, 2020
Analyzing Roger Goodell’s Statement About Black Lives Matter
Plus, Van and Rachel discuss problematic responses to the movement from Candace Owens, Terry Crews, Mark Wahlberg, and more
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June 8, 2020
Scenes of Protest and the Demand for Sustained Change in the Nation’s Capital
How demonstrations against systemic racial injustice and police brutality are resonating in Washington, D.C.
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June 8, 2020
“It Changes Who Has the Power”: How Bail Funds Across the Country Are Responding to Protests
Alongside a historic number of public demonstrations came a powerful wave of online fundraising. And, with the direction of longtime organizers, social media has zeroed in on one legal tool in particular: local bail funds.
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June 5, 2020
How Asian Americans Can Better Support Black Lives Matter
Dave, Chris Ying, and Isaac Lee explore how one community can be an advocate for another
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June 5, 2020
‘NBA Desktop’: The Protests
Jason discusses the ongoing protests and how players are speaking out against racism and police brutality
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June 5, 2020
CC Sabathia on Protesting, Drew Brees, Baseball’s Return, LeBron, Rivera, and the National Moment
The former pitcher joins Bill to discuss his experience at the protests in Brooklyn, the platforms today’s athletes have and their ability to speak out against injustice, and more
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June 4, 2020
Reports From Brooklyn and Minneapolis, Plus: Trump Goes to Church
Tyler Tynes and Washington Post reporter Robert Klemko join the show to discuss their perspectives from the ground of Brooklyn and Minneapolis
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June 4, 2020
Drew Brees, Trump, and Obama: Discussing the Responses to the Protests
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the various responses to this week’s protests in the sports world, the White House, and social media
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June 3, 2020
‘The Mismatch’: As NBA Players Protest Police Brutality Around the Country, the League Is Locking in Its Return Plan
Plus, Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor discuss what it means to even think or talk about the return of basketball in this moment
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June 3, 2020
“This Has to Happen for Change to Happen”: A Night of Protest, Pain, and Peace in Brooklyn
As mass demonstrations against police brutality continue across the country, thousands gather in New York to demonstrate against generations of police brutality and racial injustice in America
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June 3, 2020
DeRay Mckesson on Ending Police Brutality
They discuss how the use of recently obtained data, education, and smart solutions can help bring about reform
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June 3, 2020
Gregg Popovich on America in 2020, the Leadership Void, and What Needs to Change
The Spurs coach talks about where the country can go from here
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June 3, 2020
Reflecting on Police Brutality, the Killing of George Floyd, and Leadership With Jamal Crawford
JJ, Tommy, and Jamal examine the nationwide conversation that the protests have sparked
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June 2, 2020
Thoughts on George Floyd and the Virus of Racism in America
Larry talks about how racism must be rooted out of this country