Posted 07/12/16, 8:38 AM CST

MINNEAPOLIS (AM News Net)  – Four police officers walked away from their posts at the Target Center last Saturday after Minnesota Lynx players wore Black Lives Matter Shirts during warmups of a WNBA game.

The front of the shirts says “Change Starts With Us: Justice & Accountability.” On the back, it lists the names of Philando Castille and Alton Sterling, two African-Americans killed by Minnesota Baton Rouge police officers, respectively. The back of the shirt also displays the Dallas Police Department emblem:

“All of us are deeply troubled and concerned by the needless loss of life, and we recognize that positive change starts with all of us standing up for the values we cherish - diversity,inclusiveness, and respect for others,” the WNBA and NBA said in a statement after the Dallas shootings, where five officers were killed during a protest.

Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore explained her reasoning for wearing the shirt.

“This is a human issue and we need to speak up for change, together,” she said. "Tonight we will be wearing shirts to honor and mourn the losses of precious American citizens and to plead for change in all of us."

As independent contractors, the four police officers were able to leave their security posts without affecting their primary jobs at the department.

Lieutenant Bob Kroll, president of the Minneapolis Police Federation, commends his officers according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

“I commend them for it,” Lieutenant Kroll said. “Others said they heard about it and they were not going to work Lynx games.”

According to ESPN, the four officers have taken their names off the list of people who will work security at the Target Center.

Note: Article updated on July 12th, 2016, 1:37 PM to fix typo and add in date of event.

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