Melo: March on
Ex-Knick helps send kids to D.C. anti-gun rally
Carmelo Anthony continues to play an active role in the Baltimore community.
The Thunder forward teamed up with the city of Baltimore, MTV and the NAACP to send 4,500 kids to Washington D.C. in order to participate in the March For Our Lives rally against gun violence on Saturday.
Anthony, a Baltimore native, said it took about 8090 busses to complete the mission.
"To see how it's all unfolded
Several prominent members of the sports world expressed their support Saturday for the various March For Our Lives rallies across the country to demand gun control reform following the latest mass shooting last month at a Florida high school.
“Reminder today to get out and march!” Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr tweeted. “Thank you to the young generation for inspiring all of us and reminding us that change will only happen through our own will. Register to vote and and see the kind of impact the youth have right now, it's a special moment," Anthony said. "Especially for me, and I think everybody, just to see how powerful the youth are right now and their voices are being heard right now and that's the most important part."
The former Knicks forward has been one of several athletes who have become outspoken on political issues in recent years.
Anthony is particularly involved in Baltimore, where he marched amongst protesters in 2015 seeking justice for the death of Freddie Gray, a demand common sense gun laws from any and all potential elected officials! Democracy will win!”
NBA star Dwyane Wade posted a picture of himself wearing a “MarchForOurLives” T-shirt on his Instagram account. He had visited students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on March 7, three weeks after 17 people were murdered at the school by gunman Nikolas Cruz.
“You will remember this day! #EnoughIsEnough,” tweeted Wade, a longtime Heat star who was traded back to Miami from Cleveland on Feb. 8. “I am proud of each individual that’s a 25-year-old black man who died a week after sustaining "significant spinal injuries" while in police custody.
Anthony said his activism is just something that comes natural to him.
"I think activism is you either do it or you don't … I think I will always be part of, or active, when it comes to activism and speaking up and things to do with communities and people," he said. "That's just a natural thing for me. Not something I'm gonna say, 'yeah I'll definitely be involved.' It's just a natural thing for me." part of this movement towards change. Today our current leaders voices will be heard and they will not be denied.”
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss was among those marching at a rally in Manhattan Beach, Calif., holding a sign reading “Not One More!”
“We want stricter gun control to protect our kids,” Buss said in a Periscope video. “Thank you and we’re going to get to work.”
NBA legend Bill Russell, active in social causes while starring for the Boston Celtics in the 1960s, also expressed his support.
“If you can get out & support @AMarch4OurLives today I am proud of this generation standing up for injustice & having their voices heard, making real change,” Russell tweeted. “The world is listening. Some may not know me but I stand with you.”
Retired NFL star DeMarcus Ware was in Washington on Saturday, the site of the primary rally.
“Kids in this country are going to school in fear,” Ware tweeted. “Fear is paralyzing for adults let alone kids trying to learn. God forbid something to happen to a child YOU love, right? We don’t feel affected by the issues until we are. #Enough”