Capitals players participate in Blackout Tuesday as nationwide protests continue for eighth day

Tuesday marked the eighth day of nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd and other police-related killings of black people.

A day after Alex Ovechkin became the first Capitals player to comment on the murder of George Floyd, three active Capitals players participated in Blackout Tuesday on Instagram, a music industry protest that quickly spread across popular culture. Towards the end of the day, nearly 19 million people on social media had posted a black square in protest. While the symbolic show of support was powerful, many protestors found it problematic as it clogged up informative hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter and didn’t move the needle on creating actual change.

Capitals defenseman John Carlson also shared his own individual message after Ovechkin and Braden Holtby did the same while Lars Eller posted a Nelson Mandela quote on his Instagram Story.

You can view all of the individual messages NHL players have posted here.

John Carlson

Carlson wrote on Instagram, “#BlackLivesMatter. Like many, I grieve the senseless murder of George Floyd and countless other black Americans. The racism that plagues our country is unacceptable. While as a white man I have not experienced racism and its anguish firsthand, I stand in support of those who have and acknowledge the need to deeply transform as a country. We have to do better to eliminate all forms of racism and inspire positive, permanent change. I have always believed that actions speak louder than words, but I felt it was necessary and important to add my voice to help advance things in any way I can. I am committed to using my position to learn, listen and be a part of the solution.”

Lars Eller

Washington Capitals

TJ Oshie

Jonas Siegenthaler

Devante Smith-Pelly

Brett Connolly

Madison Bowey

Mike Green

Axel Jonsson-Fjällby

Liam O’Brien

Shane Gersich

Nathan Walker

Brooks Laich

Haley Skarupa

Ways that you can get involved to make change include voting, signing Black Lives Matter petitions, donating to jailed protestors, and getting educated.