Black Unity hosts 'Speak Up and Dribble' protest

The group took part in a series of basketball games and a march throughout Eugene.

Protests have been going on for months in our area -- and today is no different.

There's one happening as we speak.

This time -- the goal is to amplify black voices& specifically athletes.

Kezi 9 news reporter kennedy dendy is live where protestors are ending their march.

And kennedy -- what message are they hone-ing in on tonight?

Jillian, it's called "speak up and dribble" and hundreds gathered here at washington jefferson park to take part and to make their voices heard.

But what did this all stem from?

The name is a play on words, after an incident back in 2018, where journalist laura ingraham told lebron james to quote keep the political comments to yourselves and shut up and dribble.

This sparked all types of conversation across america even creating an organization aimed at supporting one another on and off the court.

Today's event was hosted by black unity but it was a joint effort.

Patty medina is the founder of hooper mentality- one of the groups who helped put this event on, as well as an organizer for speak up and dribble.

She says today is about*more than basketball.

A lot of the hoopers are struggling right now with finding an identity outside of basketball.

Obviously, i'm different cities, there aren't any baskets or nets so they're trying to find ways of how can we be part of the black lives matters movement or part of this movement without jeopardizing ourselves."

From music, a series of basketball games to now kona ice that just arrived face coverings and brought their own basketballs.

I'm told the event will keep going until around 7:30 tonight.

As you can see behind me live in eugene kennedy dendy