The stands were uncommonly bare when the Kings and Hawks tipped off Thursday night. Golden 1 Center was in the midst of a lockdown. The doors outside the arena surrounded by protestors, gathered outside, rallying against the senseless murder of Stephon Clark by the Sacramento Police.
Protests outside the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento has delayed the start of the Hawks vs Kings game tonight pic.twitter.com/eB0lOFG2AP
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) March 23, 2018
On Thursday, police video of the shooting emerged leaving more questions than answers. The video isn’t for the faint of heart. Clark was greeted with a quick warning and a chilling wave of gun fire sustained for just under five seconds. In a world where a cellphone “mistaken” for a gun can lead to death, questions on how officers are able to apprehend a shooter such as Nikolas Cruz jump to mind. In the wake, Clark leaves behind two young children.
Citizens of Sacramento were outraged and demanding action. Protests in Sacramento ranged from city hall down to Golden 1 Center prior to tipoff. The arena was forced into lockdown roughly half an hour prior to game-time.
Here is the official statement released from the Sacramento Kings
Team statement: pic.twitter.com/5WAdjPYQeD
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) March 23, 2018
Flip the page for video from Golden 1 Center including players entering to an empty arena and protestors outside of the building.