Atlanta Dream center Brittney GrinerandWNBA legend Sue Birdare among the latest list of athletes calling out ICE.
On Thursday, Athletes for Impact, a network of athlete activists,shared an open lettertitled "ICE OUT." Griner, Bird and nearly 60 women's sports stars endorsed the statement. Among the notable names on the list wereNew York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore and Megan Rapinoe. College starsNebraska volleyball player Harper MurrayandUCLA basketball guard Kiki Ricewere also part of the group.
"Across Minneapolis and communities nationwide, excessive and illegal federal immigration enforcement has led to fatal shootings, fear and trauma, reminding us how fragile safety becomes when power goes unchecked," the statement said.
"When we say 'ICE OUT', we are calling for institutions and policies that uplift communities, not ones that fuel fear and violence."
Advertisement
Amid growing frustration with ICE's operations,stars across the sports landscape have shared their thoughts.
"We're so fueled by hate right now instead of love, so I wanted to have a simple message of 'Abolish ICE,' which means having policies to uplift families and communities instead of fueling fear and violence," Stewart said after speaking out against ICE.
"It hits a little bit home for me because I'm from there,"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, a Minnesota native, said.
"What's going on is not OK. We hope and pray there's a change in direction from where this is heading."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Brittney Griner, Sue Bird among women's sports stars calling out ICE
