The NAACP is encouraging athletes not to sign with Texas sports teams in response to the state’s recent attacks on reproductive and voters rights and mask mandates. The association sent letters to five different players’ associations urging free agent athletes to relocate their families to other states.
The two-page letter was sent to the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, and the WNBA players’ association. The nine Texas teams included in the letter include the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars, and the Dallas Wings.
“We must stand up for what is right and protect our loved ones from the dangerous attacks on freedoms taking place in Texas,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson wrote.
Earlier this year, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law legislation that bans procedures after six weeks of pregnancy. Then in September, Abbott signed a bill that restricts voting rights. Earlier in the month, he also issued an executive order that banned vaccine requirements in Texas.
On October 25, Abbott approved Texas’ new political maps with the intention of keeping Republicans in office for at least a decade. The new maps dilute the political power that communities of color currently have. It will affect Congressional elections, Board of Education districts, and the state legislature.
“Over the past few months, legislators in Texas have passed archaic policies, disguised as laws, that directly violate privacy rights and a woman’s freedom to choose, restrict access to free and fair elections for Black and brown voters, and increase the risk of contracting coronavirus,” the letter stated.
In addition to athletes, the NAACP suggested women, people who would like to lower their risk of dying from COVID, and Black people to avoid the state.
