In pictures: The seven victims Osaka paid tribute to, and their stories

Naomi Osaka wore a mask with the name of an African-American victim of police violence in every match at the US Open, which she won on Saturday. This is an opportunity to learn about all seven victims.

Naomi Osaka, George Floyd mask

Ricky Dimon

September 13, 2020

1/15

FIRST ROUND : BREONNA TAYLOR

Victory for Osaka against Masaki Doi
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BREONNA TAYLOR

Who she is: A 26-year-old emergency nurse. Her story: Killed by bullets (eight impacts) on the night of March 12 or morning of March 13 by police during a search of her home in a drug case to which one her ex-boyfriend was linked. A shooting erupted when her current boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, believed the police were intruders.
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SECOND ROUND : ELIJAH MCCLAIN

Victory for Osaka against Camila Giorgi
4/15

ELIJAH MCCLAIN

Who he is: A 23-year-old massage therapist. His story: Died on August 30, 2019 from a cardiac arrest suffered on the way to the hospital six days earlier, after being arrested by police officers who practiced a strangulation technique on him and injected him with sedatives. The police had been contacted by a citizen of Aurora who informed them that Elijah McClain was wearing a ski mask and behaving strangely, without appearing dangerous.
5/15

The seven masks of Naomi Osaka

- Why is this a memorable moment : Naomi Osaka's political commitment has caused a lot of talk. During her seven matches at the US Open, the Japanese woman wore seven masks with seven names of people who have been victims of police violence or anti-black racism - Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Trayvon Martin, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Philando Castile and Tamir Rice.
- The highlight: A few days earlier, Naomi Osaka had boycotted her semi-final at the Western & Southern Open in protest against police violence in the United States. Her commitment continued during the US Open, with her seven masks.
- The statement : "I am aware that millions of people watch tennis around the world, and maybe not everyone knows the Breonna Taylor story. And maybe seeing me wearing this mask, they will Google search. I just want to raise awareness. I think the more people in the know, the more interested they will be." - Naomi Osaka
6/15

AHMAUD ARBERY

Who he is: A 25-year-old electrician. His story: Shot dead on February 23, 2020 by Travis McMichael, one of three white men who chased him while he was jogging. Arbery was not armed and, at first, the justice system did not initiate proceedings against the perpetrators of the crime. It wasn't until 74 days later, when the video of the shooting went viral after being posted on YouTube that the perpetrators were arrested and charged with intentional homicide, among other charges.
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FOURTH ROUND : TRAYVON MARTIN

Victory for Osaka against Anett Kontaveit
8/15

TRAYVON MARTIN

Who he is: A 17-year-old high school student. His story: Shot dead on February 26, 2012 by George Zimmerman, a member of a neighborhood patrol. Martin was walking home alone to his father's fiancee and was spotted by Zimmerman, who immediately reported him to the police. But an altercation erupted before his arrival and Martin was fatally shot in the chest. Also injured, Zimmerman pleaded self-defense and was acquitted of manslaughter charges in June of 2013.
9/15

QUARTERFINALS : GEORGE FLOYD

Victory for Osaka against Shelby Rogers
10/15

GEORGE FLOYD

Who he is: A 46-year-old former security guard. His story: Death suffocated by police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25, 2020. Arrested by police for possibly using counterfeit bills, Floyd was held to the ground with Chauvin's knee on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. He repeated, "I can't breathe" over and over again and was unconscious for the last two minutes. Chauvin was charged with second degree murder and three of his colleagues for complicity. All were fired from the police force. The Floyd killing sparked a wave of international protests over the subject of police violence.
11/15

SEMIFINALS : PHILANDO CASTILE

Victory for Osaka against Serena Williams
12/15

PHILANDO CASTILE

Who he is: A 32-year-old head of a school canteen. His story: Shot dead by police officer Jeronimo Yanez on July 6, 2016. Asked to pull over to the side of the road because of a broken lighthouse, Castile quickly confessed to Yanez that he had a weapon with him for which he had a permit. But after a quickly heated verbal exchange, Yanez shot him five times at close range, while Castile was with his wife and four-year-old daughter in the vehicle. Accused in particular of manslaughter, Yanez was acquitted in June 2017 and then removed from his duties in the police.
13/15

FINAL : TAMIR RICE

Victory for Osaka against Victoria Azarenka
14/15

TAMIR RICE

Who he is: A 12-year-old boy. His story: Shot dead by Timothy Loehmann, a 26-year-old police officer, on November 22, 2014. Rice was playing with a plastic gun and having fun pointing it at passers-by in a Cleveland park . Called by a witness who twice pointed out that the gun was "probably fake,” officers repeatedly asked Rice to show them his hands. Loehmann finally fired twice, hitting Rice in the chest. He passed away the next day.
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Osaka US Open speech

"What's important is the message that everyone got. The point was to get people to start talking about it. I'm inside the bubble; I don't really know what's going on. outside. I can only talk about what's going on on social media, and the more retweets…the more people talk about it. "

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In pictures: The seven victims Osaka paid tribute to, and their stories

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