Field Level Media
02 Aug 2020, 05:25 GMT+10
Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba became the first NHL player to kneel during the United States national anthem when he did so prior to Saturday's game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Oilers in Edmonton.
Blackhawks goaltender Malcolm Subban and Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse, who are both Black Canadians, each put a hand on Dumba's shoulders during the anthem. Dumba is also Canadian.
"During this pandemic, something unexpected but long overdue occurred: The world woke up to the existence of systemic racism and how deeply rooted it is within our society," Dumba, 26, said in a passionate speech. "Racism is a man-made creation and all it does is deteriorate from our collective prosperity. Racism is everywhere. Racism is everywhere and we need to fight against it.
"On behalf of the NHL and the Hockey Diversity Alliance, we vow and promise to stand up for justice and fight for what is right. I know first-hand as a minority playing the great game of hockey the unexplainable and difficult challenges that come with it. The Hockey Diversity Alliance and the NHL want kids to feel safe, comfortable and free-minded every time they enter an arena. I stand in front of you today on behalf of those groups and promise you that we will fight against injustice and fight for what is right."
The Hockey Diversity Alliance is a contingent of current and former NHL players with a mission "to eradicate racism and intolerance" in the sport. The organization was formed in June in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minnesota.
Akim Aliu and Evander Kane serve as the co-founders of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, while Dumba, Trevor Daley, Wayne Simmonds, Chris Stewart and Joel Ward are members of the executive committee.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of International Travel News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to International Travel News.
More InformationNEW YORK CITY, New York: With just weeks to spare before a potential government default, U.S. lawmakers passed a sweeping tax and spending...
PARIS, France: Fast-fashion giant Shein has been fined 40 million euros by France's antitrust authority over deceptive discount practices...
PALO ALTO/TEL AVIV: The battle for top AI talent has claimed another high-profile casualty—this time at Safe Superintelligence (SSI),...
FRANKLIN, Tennessee: Hundreds of thousands of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles are being recalled across the United States due to a potential...
REDMOND, Washington: Microsoft is the latest tech giant to announce significant job cuts, as the financial strain of building next-generation...
LONDON UK - U.S. stock markets were closed on Friday for Independence Day. Global Forex Markets Wrap Up Friday with Greeback Comeback...
KABUL, Afghanistan: Afghanistan, long associated with war and instability, is quietly trying to rebrand itself as a destination for...
New Delhi [India], July 6 (ANI): A grand jungle safari project coming up in the Aravalli Hills is going to redefine Haryana's identity....
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 6 (ANI): British F-35B fighter jet, stuck at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for...
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 6 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday urged the Central...
Dehradun (Uttarakhand)[India], July 6(ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday conducted an aerial survey of...
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 6 (ANI): Union Minister Piyush Goyal enjoyed a 'shikara' ride on Dal Lake during his visit...