June 9, 2020

The Alouettes’ collective efforts to stand up against racism

Amid protests against racism, police brutality and social injustice, a long list of Alouettes players and executives are finding ways to stand up against injustice and show their support to communities in need.

Protesting against discrimination and racism 

Yesterday, Sunday, June 7th, Alouettes president Mario Cecchini and General Manager Danny Maciocia walked alongside thousands of Quebecers in Montreals’ peaceful protest against racism and police brutality. Players also showed up to speak up against social injustice, including Tyrell Sutton, Tony Washington, B.J. Cunningham, and Trey Rutherford.

“It was really important for us to be there. Our DNA is built around diversity,” stated Cecchini. We were horrified by last week’s events. The players have been so involved. James Wilder Jr. has been peacefully protesting every day in Houston.”

(crédit: La Presse)

James Wilder Jr. has in fact been very active in the fight for equality on the other side of the border. In the wake of the death of George Floyd on May 25, and having been victim of discrimination and racial profiling himself, our new running back felt compelled to fight for the rights of the black community and speak out against racism. He’s become a self-proclaimed “full-time activist”, joining the Black Lives Matter Houston Protest Group and participating in many day-long peaceful marches in Houston, Texas.

 

He also posted a video on his Twitter account last Tuesday that featured several CFL players, including Alouettes linebacker Henoc Muamba, to encourage us all to stand together against systemic racism and police brutality.

 

Eugene Lewis also joined hundreds of protestors in a Black Lives Matter protest on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to call for change after the brutal death of George Floyd.

 

Always leading by example, Khari Jones and his family took part in the peaceful protest in Vancouver on June 5. Our head coach also shared his personal experience with racism and discrimination in a touching interview with the media last week.

 

Lien dispo média Khari

Donating time and money to help black communities

In addition to protesting, players have found different ways to help those in need, namely by donating time or money.

Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. will be putting his US$ 1,200 coronavirus stimulus check from the American government towards the cause. Last week, he put a call on Twitter for a local black-owned business to donate the money to.

 

Defensive tackle Lord Hyemang has been donating his time and giving out a helping hand to local communities by participating in a community clean up initiative following the riots that that place in Minneapolis last week.

 

Speaking out against racism on social media

Over the past few days, a long list of Alouettes players have been very active on their social media accounts to speak out against racism, share their personal stories, and raise awareness about the issue.

 

 

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

 

We are BLACK MEN!….. We build …. We don’t tear down other BLACK MEN! …. We have felt the pain of being torn down and we have decided we will be deliberate about building others! If I didn’t tag you, please don’t be offended. I tried to pick people I thought would do this challenge!! All too often, we men find it easier to criticize each other, instead of building each other up. With all the negativity going around let’s do something positive!!🌟 Upload 1 picture of yourself…ONLY you. Then tag as many brothers to do the same. Let’s build ourselves up, instead of tearing ourselves down. 🖤🖤COPY AND PASTE 🖤🖤 If I tagged you, don’t disappoint me!!

Une publication partagée par Kaion Julien-Grant (@juliengrant) le

 

 

We are very proud of our men for their involvement in the cause. Let’s keep speaking up against racism and adding our voices to the call for change.