The president has sought to balance his own response to the unrest and mistrust in American cities between African Americans and police officers over the past several years, including in Baton Rouge, La., and Dallas this year.
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Kaepernick has named police brutality and racial injustice among the reasons for his silent protest and indicated that he will keep it up during the regular season that begins September 12 with a game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Yesterday, the Santa Clara Police Officers Association (SCPOA) sent a letter to the 49ers organization requesting that they take action against their employee, Colin Kaepernick, for his recent statements and behavior towards police officers.
Sales of Colin Kaepernick jerseys have soared in the past week since the San Francisco 49ers quarterback stepped into a national debate over systemic racism by refusing to stand during the national anthem. Now it is unknown whether more than half of those officers will show up at the team’s next game on September 12.
“I have two uncles and friends who are police officers and work to protect and serve ALL people”, Kaepernick said on Instagram in defense of the pictures.
“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. It is being speculated that if the Santa Clara police officers follow through on their boycott that more officers from the surrounding area will be hired to take their place.
About 70 officers from the Santa Clara Police Department patrol Levi’s Stadium when the 49ers play there.
Chief Michael Sellers said in a statement Saturday that he will urge union leadership to put citizens’ safety first.
But the biggest focus was at quarterback, where San Francisco released Jeff Driskel but kept Kaepernick and Ponder. The 49ers head coach Chip Kelly said he had “no problem with Kap” and the #VeteransforKaepernick hashtag swept across Twitter this week with soldiers speaking out about his right to protest.
Kaepernick has been assailed since starting his silent protest.
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The national anthem has a very controversial history to it, and while I can agree with Kaepernick’s stance, it’s important for him to remember that there are children watching as well as several other countries. When Vick was released, he resumed his playing career with the Philadelphia Eagles and on talk-radio and social media, he was clearly annointed African-Americans favorite National Football League player.
