LOOK: Kentucky Women's Basketball players lead social justice march, unity fair

The Kentucky women’s basketball program is standing together in the fight against racial injustice, and they aren’t alone. The team led a “Social Justice March” on Wednesday morning, followed by a “Unity Fair” later that afternoon.

Coaches and student athletes from several other teams joined the action, including UK’s volleyball team, men’s and women’s soccer teams, and men’s and women’s track and field teams. The event was arranged solely by the players on the UK hoops team, although several of their assistant coaches joined them in support. Head Coach Matthew Mitchell was not in attendance, as he is still recovering from his brain surgery in late June. His wife, Jenna, and their daughters were in attendance.

The group met outside of UK’s William T. Young Library, located near the center of campus. Pastor Richard Gaines of Consolidated Baptist Church led the group in a prayer, followed by a moment of silence.

After the prayer and moment of silence, the team began their walk through campus on their way to the Wildcat statue across from Memorial Coliseum.

Here’s a look at the crowd as the group left the library and began the march. Masks were required throughout the day.

Rhyne Howard and Dre’Una Edwards were the two players who led the group, often starting chants of “Black Lives Matter,” “Say their names,” “We want equality,” “More than athletes,” and the names of several victims of police brutality.

In this particular video, the group says “We are UK. We want the change. We want it now.”

Rhyne Howard and Dre’Una Edwards lead the group toward Memorial Coliseum

“We are UK. We want the change. We want it now”@KentuckyWBB pic.twitter.com/61RegSyT0m

— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisTV) September 16, 2020

After the group arrived at the statue, they began their Unity Fair.

Several booths had been set up (socially-distanced style) for attendees to learn more about the ongoing issues. Tables included a mental awareness station, a voter registration station and a table showcasing poster boards honoring victims of police brutality. There was even a “love station,” where people could pick up some cookies or other sweet treats, and DJ Warren Peace was there to play music.

A few more images from the @KentuckyWBB social justice march & unity fair.

More on KSR soon pic.twitter.com/XlU78CWo5Y

— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisTV) September 16, 2020

At one point, Edwards hopped on the microphone to share her powerful poem about racial injustice. I was a little slow to hit the record button — so this video doesn’t show the very beginning of her poem — but you can hear most of it here:

In-person interviews with student athletes are currently not allowed due to NCAA, SEC and UK Athletics’ COVID-19 regulations, but a few members of the team will be speaking with the media this afternoon. Check back with Kentucky-Sports-Radio-dot-com later today for more from the players.