Braden Holtby and Brandi Holtby launched an auction on Monday morning entitled ‘Get Off the Bench for Racial Equality.’ The auction will raise money for Black Lives Matter DC and The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. The Holtbys will also donate $5,000 to each organization and match the funds raised through the auction.

The move comes after the Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender released a powerful note on Twitter last week denouncing racism and promising to help the Black Lives Matter movement in whatever way he can.

“Keep fighting, and I vow to demonstrate and educate what you are fighting for,” Holtby wrote. “Not only to myself but my children, family, and anyone else who will listen. Because America will never be great until all BLACK lives matter.”

Two days after his tweet, Holtby spoke to reporters in a video conference and revealed his hope that the national protests are “going to change the world.”

Holtby explained that “the biggest thing in my process is I don’t believe in one stop [action]. I believe in supporting causes or organizations that are going to do good for a long time. Brandi and I have focused more on the Human Rights Campaign in the past because it hit a wide spectrum for us, dealing with LGBTQ issues and racial issues. But as we learn more, as we see the world changing in front of us, we’re looking into finding different options as well as sticking with that. To make sure we’re finding ways to do all we can, and trying to do our part as much as we can. As far as specifics, we’re not trying to make any quick decisions. We want to lay out a game plan for an extended period of time where we believe we can help change.”

In a press release from the Capitals, the club highlighted both organizations and explained how they can help.

Black Lives Matter DC is a member-based abolitionist organization centering black people most at risk for state violence in DC, creating the conditions for Black Liberation through the abolition of systems and institutions of white supremacy, capitalism, patriarchy and colonialism. The organization is dedicated to promoting strategies that empower the most oppressed black people. For more information, visit https://www.blacklivesmatterdmv.org/.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 220 national organizations and 100 staff to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. As a leader in the fight for democracy, justice, inclusion, and opportunity, The Leadership Conference works towards building an America as good as its ideals. They recently led more than 430 civil rights organizations to call on congressional leadership to swiftly rectify the legacy of anti-black racism that has led to police violence against Black people across our country. A New Era of Public Safety, a groundbreaking report and toolkit from The Leadership Conference’s policing campaign, is a widely lauded resource and blueprint to build trust between communities and police departments. The Leadership Conference holds lawmakers accountable for transforming police accountability by pushing legislation that invests in community solutions that provide economic opportunity, education, health care, and alternative responses. The Leadership Conference is a frequent partner and consultant to professional sports organizations, including the NBA and WNBA, organizing forums and community engagement for its players, leadership, and fans. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

The Holtbys auction feature signed items from Capitals players Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson, and John Carlson as well as a signed jersey from the entire team. Holtby has also signed several items including a custom wooden art sculpture by Capitals fan and artist Daniel Shores.

The auction concludes at noon on Friday, June 12.

Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong/RMNB