The protest is expected to start in the hours leading up to the Mavericks and Rockets game, which will tip off at 2 p.m. CT.
DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks fans are expected to protest in the plaza outside of the American Airlines Center (AAC), expressing their displeasure with the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The protest is expected to start in the hours leading up to the Mavericks and Rockets game, which will tip off at 2 p.m. CT.
Mavs fans have been outspoken all week about the trade.
A “Luka memorial” was set up in the plaza in the hours following the news, which was taken down by AAC staff on Monday. A GoFundMe campaign was started to put up anti-Nico Harrison and anti-Adelson billboards in the immediate area, which has garnered $45,000 of the $85,000 goal, and is in the process of voting on which designs to put up .
Organizers have called for a peaceful protest in the plaza.
AAC officials told WFAA they “are mindful of the heightened awareness” surrounding the Rockets game. WFAA reached out to the Dallas Police Department, the AAC, the Mavericks, and the NBA about security concerns and protocols after ESPN reported Friday that Mavs GM Nico Harrison had received death threats and racial epithets.
“We will continue to remain vigilant and visible. We encourage people to call 911 if they see anything suspicious or out of the norm. As always, it is our top priority to maintain the safety of the people who live, work, and visit our city,” DPD told WFAA.
“The safety and well-being of our guests is always our top priority, and we are fully committed to maintaining a secure environment for Saturday’s event,” AAC officials told WFAA. “We continue to collaborate with our security and safety teams to ensure all necessary precautions are in place, and we are dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.”
WFAA has not received responses from the Mavericks nor the NBA as of this writing regarding security concerns for Harrison, the Mavericks front office or anyone attending the game.
WFAA will stream coverage from the protest in the plaza outside of the AAC on our TV streaming app, WFAA+, and on WFAA’s YouTube channel.
