Sheriff deputy accuses Raptors’ Masai Ujiri of falsely claiming ‘racial animus’

By Lucas Casaletto and The Canadian Press

Lawyers representing the Alameda County sheriff deputy suing Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri for assault after Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals are accusing the executive of using race as a factor.

In filings to the United States District Court in California, Alameda County sheriff’s deputy Alan Strickland’s legal team alleges Ujiri’s counterclaim is driven by race and a bias against law enforcement.

The filings also say Ujiri did not display the proper credentials needed for access to the court, leading to the altercation.

“In reality, Defendants brought this motion to take advantage of the now pervasive anti-law enforcement prejudices and to falsely allege racial animus and prejudicial bias is the reason for Plaintiff Alan Strickland’s conduct on the date of the incident,” the document says.

Strickland’s team says he was following orders by the NBA.

“At the pre-game security briefing, security personnel were instructed by NBA Executive Vice President and Chief Security Officer Jerome Pickett that everyone in both organizations had been briefed and that ‘It doesn’t matter who they are, who they say they are, you tell them Jerome Pickett says they are not going on the court without proper credentials,” the document says.

As part of Ujiri’s counter suit, body cam footage of the incident was released that appears to support the executive’s claim that Strickland shoved him twice despite Ujiri flashing what looks to be a card attached to his body.

“The body camera video which plaintiff produced on July 17, 2020 did not reveal any new information to Defendants,” Strickland wrote, per the Athletic.

“In reality, Defendants brought this motion to take advantage of the now pervasive anti-law enforcement prejudices and to falsely allege racial animus and prejudicial bias is the reason for Plaintiff Alan Strickland’s conduct on the date of the incident.”

Ujiri released a statement just under two weeks ago, saying: “The video sadly demonstrates how horribly I was treated by a law enforcement officer last year in the midst of my team, the Toronto Raptors, winning its first world championship.

“It was an exhilarating moment of achievement for our organization, for our players, for our city, for our country, and for me personally, given my long-tenured professional journey in the NBA. Yet, unfortunately, I was reminded in that moment that despite all of my hard work and success, there are some people, including those who are supposed to protect us, who will always and only see me as something that is unworthy of respectful engagement.

“And, there’s only one indisputable reason why that is the case – because I am Black.”

Ujiri’s counter suit came several months after Strickland sued him for medical expenses, lost wages and other costs alleging he suffered serious injuries that resulted in “great mental, physical, emotional and psychological pain and suffering.”

In February, Strickland filed a claim to the court alleging Ujiri attacked him and did not display his credentials, leading to the now viral confrontation.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

The Raptors declined comment on the latest court filings.

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