"People are afraid to send their children to school": A WNBA star on what is happening in Minnesota

Paige Bueckers, a player in the WNBA and a native of Minnesota, has spoken out about the situation in her home state following recent immigration raids and operations that have created a climate of fear and uncertainty in numerous communities. The player, currently competing in the Unrivaled league, expressed her concern for the human impact of these events and the consequences they are having on the daily lives of many families.

“Innocent lives are being taken; innocent families are being torn apart. People are afraid to send their children to school, people are afraid to go to work and provide for their families, people are afraid to go to the store. What is happening is not right, and at some point —we feel, hope, and pray— there will be a shift in the direction of all this,” said the player, reflecting the atmosphere of tension that, according to her words, is currently being experienced in Minnesota.

Bueckers explained that, although she hasn't been able to be physically present at the protests in Minneapolis and other areas of the state, she closely follows what is happening and feels deeply connected to her community. In that sense, she highlighted the pride she feels in seeing how many people are coming together to support each other in a difficult time. The player emphasized the importance of solidarity and staying united in the face of a situation she considers unjust and painful for many families.

The player also reflected on the role that athletes with public visibility have in these contexts. “God has given me this platform to speak about things that are important to me and to use my platform for good. Whether through donations or simply speaking out or advocating for what I believe is right, I think that is very important,” she stated. In her remarks, Bueckers made it clear that she sees sports as something that goes beyond competition and carries a social responsibility.

Drama in Minnesota

In the same vein, she referred to the usual criticism that athletes receive when they speak out on social or political issues. “As athletes, it can be very easy for people to say: ‘Just play your sport. Don't worry about politics or life's issues.’ But I believe that, as people who are in the entertainment world and have this platform to say things, it is important to use our voice and advocate for what we believe in,” she added.

In addition to her words, Bueckers has shown her support concretely by making financial donations to local funds that help affected families in her hometown of Hopkins and other areas of Minnesota. With this gesture and her public statements, the player wanted to demonstrate her commitment to a community going through a time of great tension and to highlight a reality that, according to her own words, should not be normalized.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, "La gente tiene miedo de enviar a sus hijos a la escuela": Una estrella de la WNBA, sobre lo que está sucediendo en Minnesota