Toronto Raptors announce social justice messages to be worn on jerseys during NBA restart

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Gilbert McGregor
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The Toronto Raptors have made it a point to reinforce that "silence is not an option," keeping the focus on bigger picture issues that pertain to racial equality and social justice during the NBA's restart in Orlando, Florida.

MORE: NBA players, teams keep focus on promoting social justice

On Wednesday night, the Raptors took to Twitter to share the social justice messages that each member of the team has chosen to wear on the backs of their jerseys during the restart, along with social justice statements they have made during this time.

Find each of their choices below.

"Black Lives Matter"

  • Fred VanVleet – "There are real issues going on. Breonna Taylor's killers are still walking around and living a very free life."
  • Norman Powell – "I knew where I wanted to stand on this matter and what I wanted to say – it was really close to me and how I felt at the time. Am I next?"
  • Pascal Siakam – "Our team is doing a fantastic job finding ways to (make) effective change and doing something that's going to mean something."
  • Malcolm Miller – "I chose BLM to voice the inequality and injustice that permeates our country, and the stand I take against it."
  • Matt Thomas – "When the lights are bright and the cameras are on us is just a small, small action. Hopefully it is an action that can start to create change in our country."
  • Paul Watson 
  • Dewan Hernandez

"Education Reform" 

  • Kyle Lowry – "We are in a time where we need to keep that conversation going, we need to be heard from, we need to speak loud and clear."

"Respect Us"

  • Serge Ibaka – "We deserve respect and right now we are in 2020 and we will fight for that."
  • Oshae Brissett – "I feel like we all have to be one big group. That's not even just Canada and America, it's got to be worldwide because this stuff goes on everywhere."

"Speak Up"

  • Terence Davis – "We might not have to be on the same team but we're still united in this league."
  • Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – "I feel like we should all speak up and say something, bring somebody closer together, take it one step at a time and one person at a time."

"Say Their Names"

  • OG Anunoby – "It's important that (the victim's) names should be in the media, we should be talking about them, their situations, what happened, and just to raise awareness for everyone."
  • Patrick McCaw – "For the people that have been affected by social injustice and racism."

"Justice"

  • Marc Gasol – "It's time to say enough is enough and we've got to demand change."

"Equality"

  • Stanley Johnson

"See Us"

  • Chris Boucher

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Gilbert McGregor Photo
Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.