By ADAM ZAGORIA
Ohio State guard Seth Towns and his head coach Chris Holtmann, along with Harvard coach Tommy Amaker, have all issued statements after Towns was detained by police Friday night at a rally in Columbus, Ohio to support George Floyd.
Floyd, 46, died Monday while in the custody of Minneapolis police. Former officer Derek Chauvin was charged Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s death.
“In a span of just 24 hours, I walked across a Harvard virtual graduation stage into the back of police van alongside other peaceful protestors-both of which I am equally proud of,” Towns said Saturday in a several tweets.
In a span of just 24 hours, I walked across a Harvard virtual graduation stage into the back of police van alongside other peaceful protestors—both of which I am equally proud of. pic.twitter.com/qtvXmw0Fwq
— Seth 💤 (@seth_towns17) May 30, 2020
In a video posted by Eleven Warriors, Towns is seen shouting, “Say his name” at the protest, while others respond, “George Floyd.”
Footage of Seth Towns in police custody earlier Friday at the scene of a protest in Columbus. Towns, an incoming Ohio State basketball transfer, graduated from Harvard Thursday.
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) May 30, 2020
Towns is no longer in police custody and is safe at home, according to a source. pic.twitter.com/kFptHH63BN
As Towns is arrested, one protester says, “He wasn’t touching anybody.” Another yelled, “That is a Harvard graduate right there!”
On Saturday, Holtmann and Amaker, Towns’ former coach at Harvard, both issued statements supporting Towns, a grad transfer who graduated from Harvard and is immediately eligible at Ohio State this season.
Statement from Coach Holtmann on @seth_towns17 pic.twitter.com/yMrzEpIZlg
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) May 30, 2020
Amaker offered his own statement.
“I am aware that recent graduate Seth Towns was detained last night at a rally in Columbus, Ohio,” Amaker said. “I fully support, and am proud of, Seth in his continued fight for social justice, a cause that near and dear to his heart since he arrived on campus four years ago. We, as a program, always encourage our players in their efforts to stand up for their beliefs and for what is right.”
He added: “I want to express my condolences and heartbreak for all of those impacted by George Floyd’s senseless death. “Let’s demonstrate support and empathy for all communities impacted – specifically communities of color, and the many men and women in law enforcement who do protect and sever honorably and with respect.
“This is a very challenging time for our country. We need unity now more than ever.”
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