DeMar DeRozan protests anti-Black racism with other stars in Compton
Former longtime Toronto Raptors player DeMar DeRozan is the latest public figure to to be spotted marching in one of the hundreds of Black Lives Matter rallies that have been taking place across North America over the past two weeks.
DeRozan, who was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in 2018, was seen on Sunday afternoon alongside fellow NBAer Russell Westbrook (from the Houston Rockets) at a demonstration in Compton — the former Raptor's hometown.
Multi-Grammy Award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar was also in attendance, and posed for a pic with DeRozan, who later posted a moving video montage of the day on Instagram with Lamar's song "Alright" playing in the background.
DeMar and Russ protesting with Kendrick Lamar in Compton today.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 7, 2020
(via taco_mell/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/MA1TcTmphS
DeRozan and Westbrook spoke to the crowd of thousands — which included the Compton Cowboys on horseback — telling them to "continue to fight for one another. Continue to lift each other up. Continue to protect your own, protect your team, protect your family."
"In times like this, we need to stick together. Put a fist up," Westbrook said.
DeRozan talked about his lifelong ties to the Los Angeles-area city, telling the crowd to "make this a celebration. Let's continue to strive for greatness."
Fans have been inspired to see celebrities hitting the streets to demonstrate in recent days, and using their platforms to talk about systemic anti-Black racism and the untimely deaths of people of colour at the hands of law enforcement.
Singer Halsey has posted photos and videos on the ground at protests in L.A. (during which she provided first aid care to injured attendees), as have Ariana Grande, Lil Yachty, Ellen Page, Kehlani, John Boyega, Timothée Chalamet, Nick Cannon, John Cusack and others.
Latest Videos
Join the conversation Load comments
