A Powerful Statement from Breanna Stewart

During the introduction of players ahead of the Unrivaled game on Sunday, three-time WNBA champion Breanna Stewart made a bold statement by holding up a sign that read “Abolish ICE” when her name was called. This action came in response to recent events involving federal immigration officers, including the killing of a 37-year-old man, Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis on Saturday. Earlier in the month, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent had fatally shot a 37-year-old woman, Renee Good, also in Minneapolis. These incidents sparked widespread protests across the city and other parts of the country, with many calling for the abolition of ICE.

Stewart’s Reflections on the Issue

After the game, Stewart elaborated on her decision to hold up the sign. She expressed her deep frustration with the current state of affairs, noting that she felt disgusted by the content she saw on social media and in the news. Stewart emphasized that the entire Unrivaled community was feeling this way, and she wanted to send a simple but powerful message: “Abolish ICE.” This message, she explained, is about creating policies that uplift families and communities rather than fueling fear and violence.

Stewart also shared her personal connection to this issue, as her wife, Marta Xargay Casademont, is not a U.S. citizen. Marta is from Spain and holds legal permanent resident status. Stewart described the situation as scary, highlighting the impact of these policies on families and communities. She noted that even though Marta is a legal permanent resident, it seems like it doesn’t matter. Stewart believes that reforms are necessary to ensure that these policies do not negatively affect the right people and that they should be designed to help everyone.

Unrivaled’s Response and Community Support

Unrivaled held a moment of silence before the games on Saturday, with the public address announcer expressing support for those affected and offering condolences to those who had lost loved ones. While Stewart’s statement was the most publicized, she was not the only member of Unrivaled or the WNBA to express similar sentiments.

Minnesota native and 2025 No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers pledged to match the $50,000 she won in Unrivaled’s free-throw challenge to donate to the Hopkins Strong Relief Fund, which supports food security in Minnesota. WNBPA executive committee member Brianna Turner also took to social media to share her concerns about ICE, stating that there is nothing positive about improperly trained federal agents profiling individuals and antagonizing communities.

The WNBA’s History of Advocacy

WNBA players have long been vocal about social issues, and their actions in 2020 during the Black Lives Matter movement set a precedent. Stewart emphasized the importance of using their platforms to support their communities. She acknowledged that while Minnesota is currently in crisis, similar issues are happening in many other cities.

Stewart encouraged people to reach out to local officials, such as council members, mayors, and governors, to advocate for policy changes and reform. She stressed that while change may not happen overnight, it is essential to continue pushing for it.

“However many times we have to see it happen over and over again, we need to use our platform to make sure we’re trying to make a change and a difference and hopefully save a life,” Stewart concluded.