Athletes react to Philando Castile shooting by police

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After two videos of black men being shot and killed by police went viral over the past two days, many athletes took to social media to voice their opinions on the incidents.

The most recent shooting took place on Wednesday, when Philando Castile was shot by a police officer in Minnesota after being pulled over for having a broken tail light. Castile’s girlfriend recorded a video that shows him bleeding in the front seat of the car. She says in the video that he was shot after reaching into his back pocket to retrieve his license from his wallet.

On Tuesday, a video circulated of Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old man in Baton Rouge, La., being restrained by police and then shot to death. The Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into the incident.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick called Sterling’s death a modern-day lynching, a label Castile’s sister Alize also used for her brother’s death, according to CBS.

• Kaepernick on Alton Sterling shooting: ‘What lynchings look like in 2016’

Several NBA athletes posted their reactions to the shooting on Twitter.

This article says it all man! Sickens me and I shed multiple tears about it all. https://t.co/Tsj9646QoT #ItNeedsToStop #BlackLivesMatter
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 8, 2016

#PhilandoCastile
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 8, 2016

#AltonSterling
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 8, 2016

deeply troubled by these most recent shootings. too many. too often. thoughts and prayers w/ #PhilandoCastile and #AltonSterling's families.
— Kevin Johnson (@KJ_MayorJohnson) July 8, 2016

If you can not understand that there is a MAJOR, UNDENIABLE, OBVIOUS problem in this country, then you are IDIOTIC https://t.co/dAswFSmU8E
— Garrett Temple (@GTemp17) July 7, 2016

We gotta do better America smh
— Anthony Brown (@TwoShotOne) July 7, 2016

As a proud African American it's sad that our people continue to watch families go through these great tragedies... It's not right... But
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 7, 2016

At the same time we have to take better care of eachother... We do harm more often to our brother/sister than anyone else.
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 7, 2016

Change is needed on our behalf NOW... And then the battle can go further in demanding that we be treated better from others... And
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 7, 2016

That justice is served ... Treat our brother/sister better and the we can come together and make for a stronger stand/fight against unjust
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 7, 2016

I grew up around Oscar Grant , not a stranger to the situation and I'm not ignoring or making it a black on black thing. I'm Tryna figure
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 7, 2016

Out ways we can help ourselves ... As I continue to say it's BS,racism is in our faces, and I side with our peoples pain 100%...
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 7, 2016

Was raised by a police officer and I'm not saying that all cops are bad cops, but there are some bad cops and definitely some bad training
— Jason Richardson (@jrich23) July 7, 2016

That's going on. It's just got me in a messed up place seeing this happening in 2016.
— Jason Richardson (@jrich23) July 7, 2016

NFL players also posted their reactions on Twitter.

Seriously 24 hours later another black man shot and killed dead by another cop! They said the body cameras were steps in the right direction
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) July 7, 2016

When will this stop I don't see any difference they still killing our people for no reason! Scared trigger happy cops with no training 😔
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) July 7, 2016

It's hunting season for these cops Black Men be careful this is crazy
— Chris Baker (@cbakerswaggy) July 7, 2016

Why can't we get arrested and still be alive they just keep killing us and not getting convicted
— Chris Baker (@cbakerswaggy) July 7, 2016

Coach Shannon used to tell us to put both hands out the window when we get pulled over so it wouldn't be no confusing when the police come
— DeMarcus Van Dyke (@Coach_DVD) July 7, 2016

How many more...?
— Prince Amukamara (@PrinceAmukamara) July 7, 2016

pic.twitter.com/mWd0MHaygV
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) July 7, 2016

The police pull me over I'm jut gonna start recording live stream just in case. But to think if something happen they still will be innocent
— DARNELL DOCKETT (@ddockett) July 7, 2016

Two officers were reportedly present during Castile’s shooting, and one has been place on administrative leave, according to CNN.

Both officers involved in the Sterling incident have been placed on leave.

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