NEWS
Kaepernick Protests
In preseason games of August 14 and August 20, 2016 Colin Kaepernick started his protest in support of racial equality. He decided to sit down during the national anthem. Kaepernick did not start in these games and his protests went unnoticed. On the third preseason game, August 26th, 2016, Kaepernick's protest received national attention. Kaepernick told the media after the game he sat because of the oppression of people of color and ongoing issues with police brutality.
Two days after the game Kaepernick met with the media to further elaborate his protest and his actions. He released this statement-
"I'm going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed. To me, this is something that has to change. When there's significant change and I feel that flag represents what it's supposed to represent, and this country is representing people the way that it's supposed to, I'll stand."
"This stand wasn’t for me. This is because I’m seeing things happen to people that don’t have a voice, people that don’t have a platform to talk and have their voices heard, and effect change. So I’m in the position where I can do that and I’m going to do that for people that can’t."
"It's something that can unify this team. It's something that can unify this country. If we have these real conversations that are uncomfortable for a lot of people. If we have these conversations, there's a better understanding of where both sides are coming from."
"I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country. I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone. That’s not happening. People are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everybody. That’s something that’s not happening. I’ve seen videos, I’ve seen circumstances where men and women that have been in the military have come back and been treated unjustly by the country they fought have for, and have been murdered by the country they fought for, on our land. That’s not right."
Colin Kaepernick LandsThe Cover Of Time Magazine For His Protests
"TIME’s new cover: The perilous fight. How national anthem protests led by Colin Kaepernick are fueling a debate https://t.co/FsZoblqj0b pic.twitter.com/pCVB3wM2kp"
Colin Kaepernick landed the cover of Time Magazine's October 2016 issue. They reported on his protests, the divide it as provoked in the NFL and how it has gained national attention.
Rishard Mathews - In Solidarity With Kaep On His Cleats
The 28-year-old receiver revealed his custom kicks for the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign on Novemeber 22, 2017. The campaign allows players to wear any creative design supporting a charity of their choice on their cleats during the game.
Matthews explained his decision to support Kaep's Know Your Rights Camp saying "I don't have a foundation so I have chosen to support my brother's foundation."
"He has paid the ultimate sacrifice in order to bring true everyday issues to light."
Celebrating The Man That Became A Movement
GQ magazine named Colin Kaepernick 'Citizen of the Year'.
Though Colin Kaepernick continues his silent protest, he agreed to collaborate with GQ on a special project for their December Men of the Year issue in an effort to, as the piece explains, "reclaim the narrative of his protest."
