San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt with his arms folded during the performance of the USA national anthem during a pre-season game in San Diego on Friday, continuing his protest against racial injustice and police brutality.
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Photos of San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick at an August 10 training session at Kezar Stadium and other practices are now surfacing, showing him wearing black socks with pigs wearing police hats – an obvious dig at police officers.
A San Jose Mercury News reporter noticed the socks, but mistook them as depicting bulldogs rather than pigs, so Kaepernick’s sock protest – which predates his anthem protest – went unnoticed. “I have two uncles and friends who are police officers and serve ALL people”. It is “Salute to the Military” night at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium. Kaepernick said last week his refusal to stand during the anthem was in protest of racial injustice and minority oppression.
The quarterback refused to stand during the playing of the national anthem at a televised game last week.
The game on Thursday night is significant because it is military appreciation night and billed as a tribute to “hundreds of thousands of current and retired military personnel who live and work in San Diego”.
Following those comments, the San Francisco Police Department demanded an apology and chastised Kaepernick.
He was asked how he would react if a Chargers player used a method of protest similar to the one Kaepernick is using.
The executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations – one of the largest police coalitions in the country – also issued a statement that slammed Kaepernick for “dishonoring” police officers.
“The fact that it has blown up like this, I think it’s a good thing”. Kaepernick has maintained that he’s protesting inequality and police brutality and not the military.
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But according to 49ers beat writer Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, safety Eric Reid also sat during the anthem. He said of Kaepernick: “Not only does he every right to do that, but I respect him”.
