A WNBA Star's Powerful Protest: Breanna Stewart Demands Change with a Bold Message.
In a striking display of activism, Breanna Stewart, a celebrated co-founder of Unrivaled and a two-time WNBA MVP, made a profound statement during player introductions on Sunday. She held aloft a sign that read "Abolish ICE," a direct response to the recent killing of a second individual by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis this month. This act of protest underscores a growing sentiment among athletes to use their platforms for social change.
Stewart articulated her deep feelings, stating, "Really all day yesterday, I was just disgusted from everything that you see on Instagram and in the news." She emphasized that the sentiment was shared by many at Unrivaled, adding, "We're so fueled by hate right now instead of love, so I wanted to have a simple message of 'Abolish ICE,' which means having policies to uplift families and communities instead of fueling fear and violence."
But here's where it gets personal and deeply resonant: Stewart, a decorated athlete with four NCAA championships at UConn and three WNBA championships with the Seattle Storm and New York Liberty, revealed that the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) nationwide are particularly close to home. Her wife, Marta Xargay Casademont, is a Spanish citizen who is currently navigating the process of obtaining U.S. citizenship. This personal connection amplifies her conviction.
"It's scary. You see it on social media, you see it splitting up families and dissecting communities and kids are being involved. It's the worst in all ways," Stewart shared, her voice conveying the gravity of the situation. "And to be married to Marta... we're working to get her citizenship, and she is a legal permanent resident and all of that. But it seems like it doesn't matter. And I think that that's why these policies need to be put in place, that reform needs to happen, because it doesn't seem to be affecting the right people. It's not helping anybody."
And this is the part most people miss: Stewart's courageous stance is not an isolated incident within the WNBA. Several other prominent players have voiced their support for the protests in Minneapolis, which are calling for the removal of federal immigration agents from the city. This collective action highlights the league's enduring commitment to social justice.
Among those speaking out is Naphessa Collier, another Unrivaled co-founder and teammate, who plays for the Minnesota Lynx. Paige Bueckers, the number one pick in the 2025 WNBA draft and a Minnesota native, has pledged to match up to $50,000 in donations to the Hopkins Strong Relief Fund, an organization dedicated to supporting food security in her home community. Natisha Hiedeman, a guard for the Lynx, expressed her heartbreak on Instagram, stating, "Minnesota is such a beautiful place with an amazing community who has embraced me fully and I'm heartbroken to see ICE has flipped the city upside down and resorted to violence. There is no place for this."
Brianna Turner, a key member of the WNBPA's executive committee, shared her concerns, noting, "My thoughts are constantly with the Minny residents who are suffering through a politically motivated ICE invasion. There is nothing positive about improperly trained federal agents profiling individuals & antagonizing communities. If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere."
Before the Unrivaled games on Saturday, a moment of silence was observed to honor the recent tragic events in Minnesota. The Unrivaled organization later released a statement emphasizing, "In this moment of grief, we choose compassion and unity."
Historically, WNBA players have been at the forefront of activism. In 2020, the league dedicated its entire season to social justice reform, even lending their support to the senatorial campaign of Raphael Warnock. Stewart believes that "doing whatever you can to help your community [is important]." She added, "Obviously, Minnesota is the place that everyone's seeing is in crisis, but it's happening in many more cities than just one, and knowing the right people to reach out to -- your local council person, your mayor, your governor -- and really advocating to change the policies and advocating for reform, knowing that it's not going to happen overnight."
Stewart concluded with a powerful reflection: "But how many times do we have to see it happen over and over and over again and using our platform to make sure that we're trying to make a change and a difference and hopefully save a life."
Even as players and the league navigate negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, Stewart confirmed that "our respective teams [are] supporting us and behind us." She stated, "While we don't agree on all things, we know that they're supporting our platform that we have, and we continue to fight in all the ways we can until we do come to a final agreement."
Now, a question for you: Is it the responsibility of athletes to engage in political activism, or should they focus solely on their sport? Share your thoughts below!
