Chaos EC and Team Liquid announced that they are postponing their ESL One Cologne semi-final match scheduled to take place today to show solidarity with the ongoing protests against racism and police brutality across the United States and around the world.

Chaos made the first move, stating that it would not be attending today's match in order to "shine a light where it belongs, on the ongoing protests against institutional racism and police brutality in this country."

Shortly thereafter, Team Liquid said, "We believe that the competition is a platform for the players and it is their individual decision whether or not to use it as a means of protest. We appreciate and support the players who have made that decision."

The team also stated that they "appreciate and support the players who have made that decision.

The postponement follows actions by players in professional sports leagues, including the NBA, WNBA, and MLB, all of which were forced to postpone games after individual players and teams went on strike to protest the shooting death of police officer Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. According to SB Nation, the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the court for Game 5 of their playoff series against the Orlando Magic, declaring the game cancelled. Shortly thereafter, other teams also announced their non-participation.

WNBA players also postponed their games, as did MLB players and teams such as the Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants; several NFL teams also cancelled practice in protest, and the NHL was forced to cancel hockey Hockey Diversity Alliance's pressure to postpone playoff games scheduled for tonight and Friday.

Not all players who participated in the action called it a strike, with WNBA Players Association President Nneka Ogwumike saying in a statement, "This is neither a strike nor a boycott, but a day of determined reflection."

ESL said on Twitter that they have agreed to reschedule the match until the end of the week. We have reached out for more information and will update if we hear back.

Thanks, Thrasher.