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NBA Players Decide to Resume Playoffs; Trump Aides Dismiss Pro Athletes Boycott Over Jacob Blake Shooting. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired August 28, 2020 - 07:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[07:30:00]

LLOYD PIERCE, HEAD COACH, ATLANTA HAWKS: And it's been a very unique situation, the circumstance for everyone that's in Orlando. You know, for myself included, watching from the outside, not understanding the separation from their family, the -- you know, the constant of playing every other day, but really doing a tremendous job of creating an opportunity to resume this season.

But with that comes a lot of, you know, unknowns about what's going on with your family outside of the bubble and what you can do. But also, the reason why everyone went to Orlando was to continue this fight for racial justice. And I think some of the recent events that we continue to see just have boiled over, and that's the reason why there was a stoppage.

I think a lot of people are having a hard time in addition to being away from their families and trying to figure this out as they resume the season. What can they do in Orlando? You know, it's a tremendous opportunity.

They have power of being together, but seeing what we're seeing in Wisconsin and in all the many different places, Portland with the protests, I think it just boiled over and the players wanted to know that they were being fully supported in their efforts to continue the fight for racial justice.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: You know, one of the questions that is being asked is, well, what did it accomplish, or what concrete goals do you want get out of this? And I'm not sure that's necessarily the right framing.

And I want people to understand your views on this because one of the things that you have said that I find so moving is, you've said, I was born black, I'm going to die black, but I don't want to die because I'm black. And if you look at these questions through that prism, it changes the formulation, doesn't it?

PIERCE: Well, it does. And I think who is better at telling that version of the story than our players. If our players are capable of reaching millions every single day because we enjoy watching basketball, well, they're capable of telling millions every single day that we're frustrated and we're in fear and we're angered by what we're seeing with regards to policing, with regards to inequities and inequalities in our country.

And if people aren't hearing that and people aren't understanding that, for someone like myself and some of our players who are black, 80 percent of our league is black, then maybe we need to stop playing for a little bit so you guys can hear us a little bit louder.

And I think, you know, I was really proud of all of the other sports, WNBA has always been at the forefront of this, but Major League Baseball and MHL and MLS, they had some stoppage the other day, when they saw what the NBA did. So obviously, people are listening, people are paying attention, but sometimes, we have to go to drastic measures for them to listen a little bit clearer.

BERMAN: And in terms of change and in terms of action, one of the things you're doing in Atlanta is opening up your arena as a polling location. This is something you feel very passionate about. Why?

PIERCE: Well, I think it's -- I'm here in the city of Atlanta, and this is where John Lewis spent the most of his career, Reverend C.T. Lowery, Reverend C.T. -- excuse me, Reverend C.T. Vivian and Joseph E. Lowery, three members who passed away here in the city of Atlanta just this year, but they fought for our right to vote in the 1960s.

They were able to get the Voting Rights Act in the 1960s. We're still fighting for our right to vote, and because of those men, it's our job, it's our duty now to really follow all of the work that they've done.

And so we're encouraging with all of the issues, this is -- and everything that's occurred in 2020, we understand the election is one of the most pivotal in our life-time. And so, we want to be a part of encouraging our city, we want to be a part of encouraging the many communities that aren't represented, that aren't getting the information that they need.

But they have a right to vote. We all have a right to vote. And we want to be able to encourage and exercise that right to vote. And that's where the opening of the arena, the State Farm arena here in the city of Atlanta.

But I think more importantly, we've encouraged other arenas and other teams to do so as well. I think we're up to 10 NBA cities who have also opened up their arenas in addition to other sports in their arenas or stadiums as well. And we're hoping more will do so in addition to some of the colleges and universities --

BERMAN: Right, that's a big deal. It's a big deal and it's a big change. I wanted to give you the chance to define your goals and define your feelings in your own words and in your own way. I think too often, we ask people to respond. This is what the critics say. What do you say to that? But I do want to give you a chance to address some of the reaction we've had from the administration in the last day as to what the NBA did.

[07:35:00]

The president flat-out said, oh, it's too political, Marc Short, the VP's Chief of Staff came on this show and he said what he thinks the players doing is silly. And then Jared Kushner; the president's son- in-law had this odd take. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JARED KUSHNER, SENIOR ADVISER TO DONALD TRUMP: They have the luxury of taking, you know, a night off from work. Most Americans don't have the financial luxury to do that. I think that it's nice that they're standing up for the issue. But I'd like to see them start moving into concrete solutions that are productive.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: So silly on the one hand, too political from the president, and Jared Kushner somehow suggesting that the players are privileged. And what strikes me as you hear this claim from some that, oh, we're OK with peaceful protests. It doesn't sound like they're OK with the form of peaceful protests that the players and coaches have chosen to take here. So how does that make you feel?

PIERCE: Well, I think we're all infuriated by criticism of our acts. And, you know, it started with kneeling with Colin Kaepernick. It passed over into what the NBA and what the WNBA and what all the different sports going to do during the national anthem because it gets focused on the act.

And I think what you're saying right now, we don't want people to be distracted by the act. We want people to hear what's going on and how we feel about what's going on in our country. And so, yes, we're speaking from a position of privilege. We are athletes, we're in a very extremely well-paid position. We all understand that.

And this is why it's our civic duty and responsibility to speak out, to take a day off, to take two days off, to make a statement so that we bring awareness and we find ways to get to tangible action. This is what this is all about. We don't want to just make a statement and just kneel or just wear a shirt, we want to see things change.

And until those things are put in place, until we can partner with different groups and organizations that can help change some legislative items, bring some policies to the table, we want to understand that a little better, but we know from our privileged position, we have the capability of doing that, more than some of these grassroots and local organizations that have been fighting for years.

We want to partner with them, we want to be able to change these things in a way that creates change in our community. So, yes, we know it, we understand it, but that's the point. That's the purpose.

BERMAN: Coach Lloyd Pierce, we appreciate the work you're doing, we appreciate the time you've given us this morning. Thanks so much.

PIERCE: Thanks for having me on.

BERMAN: All right, we have a CNN exclusive. The father of Jacob Blake joins us live to talk to us about the shooting, to talk to us about the condition of his son, who we last heard was lying paralyzed in a bed, shackled to the bed. We're going to get an update on how he's doing from his father, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:40:00]

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Right now to a CNN exclusive. The father of Jacob Blake, the Wisconsin man shot seven times in the back by police with his three children watching in the car, now says his son is handcuffed to the hospital bed, despite being partially paralyzed. What's happening in Kenosha.

Joining us now in his first TV interview is Jacob Blake Sr., as well as the Blake family attorney, Benjamin Crump. Gentlemen, thank you so much for being here. We have been looking forward to talking to you. Mr. Blake, we're so sorry that your family is going through this. Can you tell us, is Jacob awake? How is he doing this morning?

JACOB BLAKE SR., FATHER OF JACOB BLAKE JR.: First of all, good morning. Good morning and we appreciate you all, giving us the opportunity to interview with you.

CAMEROTA: How is your son doing, Mr. Blake?

BLAKE: Per the situation, he's doing -- he's -- let's make it very clear, my son is fighting for his life. He's holding on. He's holding on. He's medicated pretty much all the time.

CAMEROTA: So he's sedated and medicated because as we understand, he's in so much pain. Have you been able to speak to him?

BLAKE: Yes, I got -- two days ago, I got to speak to him.

CAMEROTA: And can you tell us about that conversation and what he said?

BLAKE: He -- first, his eyes were squinted when I walked into the room, and I thought they were squinted because he was -- he was in pain. But when I got to his side, he grabbed my hands and began to weep, and he told me, daddy, was hallucinating. And then he said, I love you, daddy. Daddy, I love you.

CAMEROTA: Yes, that's -- it must be so hard to see him in this condition.

BLAKE: Yes. Then his next question was, why did they shoot me so many times? And I said, baby, they weren't supposed to shoot you at all.

CAMEROTA: I mean, of course, you don't have an answer to that, and none of us have been given an answer to that. And I mean -- BLAKE: But we spread a lot of love in there, and he knows where I

live, and he just said, I didn't think you were going to be able to come, and I just reassured him, I'm not leaving.

[07:45:00]

CAMEROTA: And he didn't think you would be able to come because you live in a different state?

BLAKE: Yes.

CAMEROTA: Yes, I mean, I know that your first priority, of course -- OK -- all right, we're having lots of -- bear with us, everyone. There's technical issues, of course, as there always are when you're doing this remotely. But Mr. Blake, you're back with us. I know your first priority, of course, is his well-being and his life. Were you able to ask him any questions about what happened that day leading up to the shooting?

BLAKE: No, because I didn't want to -- him to get emotional because he was in so much pain. It was not long following one of his -- he's had several surgeries. So it wasn't long after his surgery. So I didn't feel -- I didn't want to know anything right then, any questions.

All I needed to know is that he saw his father and that he kept touching my arm and I leaned as close to him as I could. He would -- he rubbed my face and just kept his hand on my face and kept telling me, you know, how much he loved me. And we talked about him being paralyzed from the waist down, and he wanted a dog. And I said, we'll get you a dog, baby.

CAMEROTA: Oh, my gosh, Mr. Blake. It says so much about your family --

BLAKE: But one thing -- one thing -- the thing that bothered me the most is that my child is -- well, there're so many things that bothered me, but when I walked into that room, you know, he's paralyzed from the waist down, why do they have that cold steel on my son's ankle? He can't get up and he couldn't get up if he wanted to. So what was -- that's a little over-kill, to have him shackled to the bed. That just makes no sense to me.

CAMEROTA: So his leg, you're saying, his leg is shackled to the hospital bed?

BLAKE: Correct.

CAMEROTA: Did the hospital explain why?

BLAKE: Well, I guess he's in custody, I don't know -- I don't know.

CAMEROTA: Does he have an --

BLAKE: Unbelievable --

CAMEROTA: I mean, did they say that there was a warrant or something?

BLAKE: I don't know. You would have to ask Ben. I don't know.

CAMEROTA: Mr. Crump, what's the explanation for that?

BENJAMIN CRUMP, ATTORNEY: There is no explanation for it, Alisyn. It follows the pattern of deliberate indifference and excessive force -- I mean, for a man to be paralyzed, I think they shot him seven times in the back and then you're going to handcuff and shackle his leg, I mean, it is such an outrageous thing already that he was shot seven times.

This adds insult to injury, and it is the reason we're marching in Washington D.C. today, because we're saying to America, we cannot have two justice systems, Alisyn, one for black America and one for white America. And that's what we saw in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with the shooting of Jacob Blake Jr., and then with the young white supremacist, who had an assault weapon and shot two protesters to death, and then walked down the street, Alisyn, with the assault weapon hanging from his neck and no police officer that he walked by, no National Guard that he walked by shot him in the back. Nobody killed him.

And so it is the tale of two videos that perfectly highlight the frustration of African-Americans and the NBA players and the Major League Players and everybody who wants equal justice in this society.

CAMEROTA: Mr. Crump, none of it makes sense. I mean, this is part of why we're so happy to have you here, to see if the police have been able to tell either of you anything about that disparity, as you describe it. But Mr. Blake, it's so -- it's so heart-wrenching to hear that your son is already thinking about his future and what this means. Have the doctors told you if they expect this paralysis to be permanent?

BLAKE: The problem is we don't know. We do not know. We just know that right now, there's too much swelling and they've been in too many times to really -- you just do not know. But --

[07:50:00]

CAMEROTA: Yes --

BLAKE: I thank God that, you know, he's here because it took a strong individual to just stick around. His main concern when we were talking with his sons, he was -- in his mind, his eye, he just wanted to give -- he wanted to get his sons out of harm's way. But before he could get them out of the car, he said he was just counting shots. He said he was counting them. And I guess he went -- he lost consciousness around number four or five and that's all -- that's it.

CAMEROTA: So he said --

BLAKE: But he's --

CAMEROTA: I mean, is that what he was saying, that his intent was to get back to the car, was because he had his sons --

BLAKE: He was in it -- he was in -- he was in and out. He was in and out.

CAMEROTA: How old are his sons?

BLAKE: He was -- he's medicated real heavy --

CAMEROTA: Yes --

BLAKE: And he would say something and then maybe four minutes later, he would say something else. So I'm piecing together what he was saying. It wasn't like it was a flowing conversation. The boy is not 100 percent.

CAMEROTA: Yes --

BLAKE: So, you know, he was so -- it was the oldest in the car was 8 and the youngest in the car was 3.

CAMEROTA: And have you talked to them?

BLAKE: Oh, they're with me every day.

CAMEROTA: What do they say? What -- how are they coping with --

BLAKE: Oh --

CAMEROTA: This, this morning?

BLAKE: The oldest, every day his question is, daddy, why did the police -- they call me papa, and all my grandkids call me papa. So he said, papa, why did they shoot my daddy in the back? Where's daddy? They want their father because he was a part of their life every day. He's a person, he's a human -- he's a human being. He's not an animal. He's a human. But my son has not been afforded the rights of a human. He's not been treated like a human. He's a father. He's not a dead- beat dad. He's a father that's with his children every day.

CAMEROTA: Of course those --

BLAKE: So --

CAMEROTA: Of course they want answers.

BLAKE: Sometimes you get a little -- a little angry. Sometimes more than a little angry because we've been going through this so long, so long. And it's only the brown faces, the brown -- the brown-toned people that get treated in this way. It's too -- like my lawyer said, it's two justice systems because that 17-year-old Caucasian shot and killed two people and blew another man's arm off on his way back to Antioch, Illinois. He got to go home.

He got water. They gave that guy water and a high five. My son got ICU and paralyzed from the waist down. Those are the two justice systems right in front of you. You can compare them yourself. CAMEROTA: Yes, Mr. Blake --

BLAKE: Who happens to be a father --

CAMEROTA: What has been astounding is to watch Jacob's mother and you, and how kind and generous of spirit you have all -- your whole family has been in the middle of this hideousness of what's going on in Kenosha. Does Jacob, your son --

BLAKE: You have to -- you have to understand that we don't proscribe to useless and violence. Violence and looting and burning, that's not going to bring Trayvon back, that's not going to bring George Floyd back, that's not going to bring Tamir Rice back.

That's not -- I could go on and on. That's not going to bring them back. That's not going to make my son get up out of that bed and walk. Only God could get him up out of the bed and make him walk. And if He does not, then that's God's will. That's His will. There's nothing you can do past His will.

[07:55:00]

All you can do is take the prescription, that if you take the prescription, one day you'll be somewhere where you want to be. But if you don't take the prescription and you don't stay humble, then you can't go. So we can't address -- I can't be angry because I still have to be faithful.

CAMEROTA: Well, you're a role model for the rest of us -- yes, Mr. Crump?

CRUMP: I was just going to say, the fact that they are trying to justify -- justifiable by talking about, oh, he had a knife. Our legal team said that the investigation so far, witnesses have said they saw him with no knife -- and when you look at the video, he posed no threat to those officers as he was walking away from them. He never gave them any verbal threats. He was just trying to get in the car and get his three little boys out of a volatile situation.

And Blake said so eloquently and passionately, his mind was on his little boys, but yet they shot him seven times in the back, and his three grandsons are going to have to bear these psychological scars forever, and his 8-year-old son was having his birthday party that day.

BLAKE: He had --

CAMEROTA: Mister --

BLAKE: They had just called me -- they had just called me an hour and a half before this incident happened, and my grandson was so excited and he was running down the list of what his daddy was going to get him -- and I know my son -- so I know my son every time this cat is saying what he wants, he's just shaking his head, shaking his head because he went down a pretty hefty list, and he said, Papa, I want you to help daddy with this list. And I said, man, I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it, and then the next phone call two hours later was this.

CAMEROTA: Oh, my God --

BLAKE: So he went from so happy to, you know, to this.

CAMEROTA: Yes, Mr. Crump, one of the confusing things is that the local law enforcement has said they can't say anything. They can't give any explanation or any information because it's an ongoing investigation. However, the Attorney General of Wisconsin did somehow manage to say that they found a knife on the floorboard of Jacob's car. So can they give information or can they not give information?

CRUMP: Alisyn, you hit the crux of the matter because they used this tactic to try to assassinate his character and justify these things when it's convenient for them. And why is it when black and brown people have video evidence of the police doing something nefarious or inappropriate to them and it's on video, they all say, oh, well, you've got to put it in context.

We can't rush to judgment, even though they rush to judgment when they shot him seven times in the back and then, Alisyn, it's so ironic that you have these two videos from Kenosha in a matter of days after you see this young white boy kill these two people and how the police de- escalate.

They follow their training and professionalism, so what it tells us is the issue is not de-escalation or professionalism, the issue is racism. They have a different response apparently when it's a black person in America, and that's what we're talking about with George Floyd, when he had his knee on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. When they busted into Breonna Taylor's apartment, you don't have these things happening to our white brothers and sisters because they know that they're going to be held accountable.

But when it's African-Americans, these two justice systems rear its ugly head and we have to have a more just society, and that's what we're marching for and committed to today, and that's what we all will be speaking to on, on the Washington Mall -- before the Lincoln Memorial.

CAMEROTA: Mr. Blake, I know that your son is in and out of sedation. Does he have any awareness of what's happened in Kenosha since his shooting of all of the people who have protested about this vigilante justice that is taken hold, anything?

BLAKE: No, we, you know, I refused to say anything to him in regard -- I don't want him to get upset, number one. The most -- the thing that made him smile was the Milwaukee Bucks.