Bay Area obtained a letter, penned by union members, to the San Francisco 49ers stating that if the organization does not take action against Kaepernick, “it could result in police officers choosing not to work at your facilities”.
Advertisement
The Santa Clara Police, who work at the home of the San Francisco 49ers – Levi’s Stadium – may boycott home games, the Santa Clara Police Officers’ Association, or SCPOA, said in statement.
“[Kaepernick’s] blanket statements disparaging the law enforcement profession are hurtful and do not help bring the country together”, Saturday’s statement said. The SC police union is threatening the 49ers to “take action” against Colin, or say “bye bye” to police protection. Police officers are here to protect the rights of every person, even if we disagree with their position. If Santa Clara’s police officers refuse to work, others officers might be hired.
In that statement, the franchise said, “In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem”.
Kaepernick’s national-anthem protest and vocal outcry against police has not tainted Kelly’s view of a quarterback who’s otherwise polarized a nation.
Kaepernick also appeared on the field this week wearing socks depicting cops as pigs.
The quarterback wouldn’t stand for the anthem at the team’s preseason games, most recently kneeling alongside teammate Eric Reid in San Diego on Thursday night.
Kaepernick will serve as the No. 2 quarterback against the Rams, Kelly said, adding that the 49ers won’t activate their No. 3 quarterback. “People of color have been targeted by police”, which the SCPOA letter denounced as “completely false and insulting to the dedicated men and women in law enforcement agencies across America”. That’s why I’m doing this.
Kaepernick upped the ante Friday in his protest over racial injustice and police brutality, pledging to give the first $1 million he makes this season to organizations assisting communities most affected by these problems.
In a letter sent to the 49ers, the police union complained that Kaepernick’s “inappropriate behavior” has “threatened our harmonious working relationship”.
According to the report, about 70 Santa Clara police officers work at the stadium’s home games.
Advertisement
The 49ers have taken a neutral stance on Kaepernick’s protests, neither condemning nor lauding his actions, but simply saying he’s free to do what he wants.
