RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) – On Friday, April 26, students and police officers gathered on the basketball court for a special game in memory of crime victims.
Dozens of people filled the stands at Jorgstad Agerholm School in Racine for National Crime Victims' Rights Week's annual event, “Bigger than Basketball.''
“There are people who like to play, there are people who like to watch, and there are people who like to cheer and dance. So I thought this was a way to involve a lot of different people,” said Voice of the Voice.・Nakeeda Hamer, state leader of Black Mothers United, said: “We have members here who have lost children and loved ones, so we welcome everyone to stand in solidarity with us.”
Voices of Black Mothers United hosts Big Than Basketball, allowing children and local officials to work together on the court.
“The players on these teams are officials from different departments, the officials kids see in their uniforms in their neighborhoods, but today kids see them as people, as teammates, as players. ,” Hammer said.
This is Bigger Than Basketball's third year, but the first year students have helped organize the event.
“We bring in our young people as solutions to the problems we have in our communities, because ultimately they are our future,” Hammer explained. did.
Gabriel Hood, a patrol officer with the Racine Police Department, is one of several officers who appear in court each year.
“This is another way to connect in the communities we work in, which is great,” Hood said. “It's really important for them to understand that they're coming to us and that we're on their side to help them.”
This event is a way to raise awareness and bring all aspects of the community together.
“It's not about us being against them, it's just changing that narrative,” Hammer said. “It’s all of us in the community, and we all have a role.”