WNBA players WALK OUT during national anthem and wear Black Lives Matter jerseys with Breonna Taylor's name on them for first game of the season between Seattle Storm and New York Liberty

The WNBA's Seattle Storm and New York Liberty teams walked off the court during the playing of the national anthem before the season-opening game on Saturday afternoon.
The two teams' planned walk-off was part of the league's season-long Justice Movement initiative - designed to fight systemic racism and violence - which the WNBA and Women’s National Basketball Players Association announced earlier in July. 
On Saturday, players from the Storm and the Liberty headed for their locker rooms while the national anthem played at the WNBA bubble at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
Both teams then returned to the court and observed 26 seconds of silence in honor of Breonna Taylor, who was 26 years old when she was killed in March by police serving a no-knock warrant at her residence in Louisville, Kentucky. 
The players had her name printed on the backs of their jerseys under their own.

Players from both the Seattle Storm (pictured) and the New York Liberty walked off the court while the national anthem was played during Saturday's season opening game
Players from both the Seattle Storm (pictured) and the New York Liberty walked off the court while the national anthem was played during Saturday's season opening game
Players from the New York Liberty are seen walking off the court during the national anthem
Players from the New York Liberty are seen walking off the court during the national anthem

In a sign of solidarity, Layshia Clarendon of the Liberty and Breanna Stewart of the Storm addressed their teammates and the television audience before the season tip-off.
'We are dedicating this season to Breonna Taylor, an outstanding EMT who was murdered over 130 days ago in her home,' Clarendon said. 'Breonna Taylor was dedicated and committed to uplifting everyone around her.
'We are also dedicating this season to "Say Her Name" campaign, a campaign committed to saying the names and fighting for justice of Black women -- Black women are so often forgotten in this fight for justice, who don't have people marching in the streets for them,' Clarendon also said. 
'We will say her name. Sandra Bland. Atatiana Jefferson. Dominique Fells. Breonna Taylor. We will be a voice for the voiceless.' 
When the players returned to the court, they held a 26-second moment of silence for slain black woman Breonna Taylor, 26, who died in March
When the players returned to the court, they held a 26-second moment of silence for slain black woman Breonna Taylor, 26, who died in March 
The Liberty (in black) and Storm (in yellow) players wore Taylor's name on their jerseys
The Liberty (in black) and Storm (in yellow) players wore Taylor's name on their jerseys 
Players from both teams were also seen sporting Black Lives Matter t-shirts. Their actions are part of a season-long social justice initiative being carried out by the WNBA
Players from both teams were also seen sporting Black Lives Matter t-shirts. Their actions are part of a season-long social justice initiative being carried out by the WNBA
Players and staff also wore shirts that read 'Black Lives Matter' on the front and 'Say Her Name' on the back.
The WNBA's walk-off follows several MLB teams kneeling prior to their games to show unity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Some players were also seen taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem. 
The Los Angeles Times' Brad Turner reported that players from several NBA times intend to kneel during the opening night of the league's restarted season on July 30.  
'Sources: NBA players plan to kneel during National Athem on opening nights of season, starting Thurs,' Turner tweeted July 24. 
'Bucks, Lakers, Clippers, Raptors, Celtics, Nuggets, Jazz, Heat staying at same hotel had a meeting. “One of the 1st oncourt actions will be kneeling opening night,” player said.'
Breonna Taylor, 26, died in the early hours of March 13 after law enforcement raided the home she shared with her boyfriend Kenneth Walker in Louisville, Kentucky
Breonna Taylor, 26, died in the early hours of March 13 after law enforcement raided the home she shared with her boyfriend Kenneth Walker in Louisville, Kentucky
Taylor, a 26-year-old black emergency medical tech, was shot eight times on March 13 after police officers knocked down the front door of the home she shared with boyfriend Kenneth Walker in a drugs raid. No drugs were found in the home.
It is unclear which officer fired the shots which killed Taylor but a lawsuit filed by her family said the officers 'spray(ed) gunfire into the residence with a total disregard for the value of human life.'
Taylor had no criminal record and worked for two local hospitals. The lawsuit alleges that the three police officers, who are now on administrative leave, fired at least 20 rounds into the home.
The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office is still investigating Taylor's incident. None of the officers involved in her shooting have been arrested or charged.
The Storm won the WNBA season opening game, 87 to 71.
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