“The 49ers organisation has taken no action to stop or prevent Mr Kaepernick from continuing to make inaccurate, incorrect and inflammatory statements”, it said after being obtained by NBC Bay Area.
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CSN Bay Area obtained a letter sent by the Santa Clara police union to the 49ers saying that if the team doesn’t take action against its quarterback “it could result in police officers choosing not to work at your facilities”.
“The media painted this as I’m anti-American, anti-men-and-women of the military and that’s not the case at all”, Kaepernick told reporters after the 49ers defeated the San Diego Chargers Thursday where he chose to kneel instead of standing as a mark of respect to those serving in the military.
After Colin Kaepernick made national news for taking a seat during the US national anthem, Santa Clara police may join him – by sitting out their duties at 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium.
The Discussion over Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit during the national anthem has become the latest topic to divide the public, adding to the already volatile debate over police brutality and race relations in the country. He was joined by safety and San Francisco’s NFL Players Association representative Eric Reid.
Kaepernick’s protest has drawn strong feelings on both sides, and the Santa Clara police union is not happy with his message.
“Our membership acknowledges that police officers are human and are not flawless”. But, Saunders said, that may create a conflict with the city’s contract with the police union.
It accused the 49ers of “permitting Kaepernick to wear exposed socks with the picture of a pig wearing a police hat”. Kaepernick, who is a vocal member of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, said after last Friday’s game that as long as “there are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder” he won’t stand.
“The 49ers are allowing this to come out from an employee and it’s making for a hostile work environment for us at the stadium”, Saunders said. “I’ve been very blessed to be in this position and make the kind of money I do, and I have to help these people”.
After the game Thursday, which Kaepernick started and played the entire first half, he was asked about the socks.
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The 49ers will open their season at home against the Los Angeles Rams on September 12.
