WE’RE IN STOPPAGE TIME: Black Players for Change and More Than A Vote Encouraging Soccer Fans to Make A Plan to Vote
Monday, October 12, 2020
WE’RE IN STOPPAGE TIME: Black Players for Change and More Than A Vote Release Video Encouraging Soccer Fans to Make A Plan to Vote
Video Photography Coordinated Entirely by Black Players for Change Athletes
Los Angeles, CA — Today Black Players for Change, (BPC), the coalition of Black professional soccer players, and More Than A Vote released a new video, “We’re In Stoppage Time,” imploring soccer fans to step up and make a plan to vote in the 2020 general election as early voting picks up in earnest across the country throughout the month of October.
Players encourage viewers to check their registration status and make a plan to vote by visiting more.vote/gameplan.
Watch “We’re In Stoppage Time” HERE.
“We came together to form Black Players for Change because we know that our strength lies in our collective power to leverage our voices to push for a more just society,” said Toronto FC Defender, and BPC Executive Director Justin Morrow.
“The most important thing we can do as athletes in this moment to combat the systemic racism and persistent injustice that plagues our nation is to encourage all of our fans to join us by getting off of the sidelines and into the ballot box, added Portland Timbers Forward and BPC executive board member Jeremy Ebobisse. “By changing the culture around civic engagement and really taking ownership of our ability to influence the electoral process, we can begin to build a society inclusive of all of our diverse backgrounds. This summer, we’ve taken our energy to the streets, and now it’s time to be heard through our vote.” concluded Ebobisse
The joint project includes interview footage from MLS players explaining what is at stake in this election — citing the pandemic, the persistence of racial injustice, and climate change — and imploring their fans to take action now by making a plan to vote in order to have a say in the direction of our country. It culminates with a voiceover from the 1989 PBS documentary James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket with the late author and civil rights activist condemning America, particularly its white citizens, for perpetually telling its Black citizens that progress will come in due time. Baldwin impatiently asks how much more time is needed before the players conclude that “we’re in stoppage time. The time is now to create lasting change. Make a plan to vote.”
Featured athletes appearing in the video include:
- Brenden Aaronson, Philadelphia Union
- Tesho Akindele, Orlando City
- Efra Alvarez, LA Galaxy
- Gianluca Busio, Sporting KC
- Jeremy Ebobisse, Portland Timbers
- Justin Morrow,Toronto FC
- Ike Opara, Minnesota United
- Chris Wondolowski, San Jose Earthquakes
The players coordinated all aspects of video photography for both the interviews conducted and footage shot inside MLS stadiums.
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About Black Players for Change
Black Players for Change (BPC) is an independent organization consisting of over 170+ players, coaches and staff of MLS, working to bridge the racial equality gap that exists in society. BPC is committed to tackling the racial injustices that have limited Black people from having an equitable stake in the game of soccer and society. Among the many goals the organization strives to advance the attention on human right inequalities from protest to programs, partnerships and policies that address systemic racism. To stay up to date please follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About More Than A Vote
More Than A Vote is a nonprofit social justice organization founded by Black athletes and artists dedicated to Black political empowerment. In 2020, More Than A Vote is focused on educating, energizing, and protecting Black voters and fighting the lies and systemic, racist voter suppression that stands in the way of Black voices being heard at the ballot box.
Contact:
Michael Tyler, press@morethanavote.org
Sirena Amarikwa, sirena@evlv.online