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New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has pledged $1 million to community organizations. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Kraft, Patriots pledging $1 million to organizations fighting systemic racism

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 6/5/20

In the week after George Floyd's death, many athletes and sports organizations have condemned racism and police brutality in various ways. While the New England Patriots released an original statement on the matter earlier this week, they announced a new initiative on Friday.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his family announced they'll be pledging $1 million in $100,000 monthly donations to local organizations that are "fighting equity, working to end systemic racism and creating meaningful change in our community."

Our eyes, ears and hearts are open. pic.twitter.com/lmD16Szesj
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 5, 2020

Kraft isn't the only member of the Boston sports community taking a stand against racial injustice. Specific Patriots stars to stand up for what is right include James White, Stephon Gilmore, Damien Harris and Mohamed Sanu.

As a black person in America all we ask is to be treated justly. We breathe and bleed the same way as everyone else. When we say “black lives matter” it is to raise awareness for the unjust treatment that we have… https://t.co/b5jSKuOWFK
— James White (@SweetFeet_White) June 5, 2020

✊ pic.twitter.com/QK8dYrnpMS
— The Gilly Lock (@BumpNrunGilm0re) June 5, 2020

To all the people telling me, “America has been so good to you” answer me this, have you ever walked a day in my shoes? Have you been called the things my family and I have been called? Have you ever been told to shut up and just play a sport? If not, that’s called “privilege”.
— Damien Harris (@DHx34) June 4, 2020

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! pic.twitter.com/vetQ85hFkm
— Mohamed Sanu Sr. (@Mo_12_Sanu) June 5, 2020

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown drove 15 hours to Atlanta to lead a peaceful protest, Marcus Smart and Enes Kanter joined in on the Boston protests and Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron donated $25,000 to the Boston NAACP.

These actions came after Floyd, an African American man, died last week after he was violently apprehended by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

The 46-year-old was pinned to the ground by Chauvin, who then proceeded to kneel on his neck and prevent him from breathing. Floyd pleaded for his life and even told Chauvin he couldn't breathe, but Chauvin refused to move off his neck.

Floyd was later pronounced dead at the hospital, and Chauvin was arrested last week on charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. On June 3, Chauvin's charge was upgraded to second-degree unintentional murder, and three other now-former officers who were on the scene are facing charges.

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