“And it was also a way to try to show more respect to the men and women that fight for this country”. He sat on the bench while the rest of his teammates stood for the anthem.
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Kaepernick wasn’t the only player on the 49ers sideline to not stand during the anthem, as safety Eric Reid also kneeled. Twitter handle Football Santa wrote that he got Kaepernick the pig socks so “he can stay relevant for a little while longer”.
“I don’t like it”, said Navy veteran John Lair. “We have a lot of people that aren’t treated equally, that aren’t given equal opportunities”. Reports indicate Kaepernick plans to sit during the national anthem again, even during “Military Appreciation Night” at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium. But keep the focus on what the issues really are’.
But fans like Mike Lemons disagree.
“People of color have been targeted by police”, Kaepernick said.
“It doesn’t seem like he’s thought through or bothered to educate himself about the way [law enforcement officers] are out there trying to do a very hard job, and the vast majority of the time get the job done right”, Johnson said, according to the newspaper. It’s part of citizens’ First Amendment right.
Kaepernick has decided not to stand to protest American racial injustice and minority oppression.
“I don’t care what the cause is”.
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He said when there is a “significant change” in how minorities are treated by police, he will stand for the playing of the anthem. According to a press release from the team, commemorations of the military will take place both before and during the game. On Thursday, he pledged to donate $1m (£753,000) to community organisations.
