Police in Santa Clara, Calif., have threatened to stop securing Levi’s Stadium during games as long as quarterback Colin Kaepernick continues to protest during the national anthem, NBC Bay Area reports.
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As for the misunderstanding Kaepernick is referring to, on Friday, Aug. 26, the star athlete made a controversial decision to take a stand against oppression, by remaining seated during the national anthem prior to his game against the Green Bay Packers, in Santa Clara, California. The Santa Clara Police Department takes the lead in moonlighting as stadium security: They usually make up two-thirds of the 70-person team.
The letter penned by the Santa Clara Police Officer’s Association said the union “has a duty to protect its members and work to make all of their working environments free of harassing behavior”.
As they have in the past, the 49ers stood behind Kaepernick’s First Amendment rights in a statement: “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”.
The police union said that cops are also upset over Kaepernick’s socks that have cartoon pigs wearing police hats, and his statements about cops “murdering minorities”. His blanket statements disparaging the law enforcement profession are hurtful and do not help bring the country together.
The SCPOA suggested that if the 49ers did not address his behavior, members of the union might choose to not work Levi’s Stadium events.
“I’m already hearing it this week that next week on Monday Night Football, some officers are not going to work”, said Frank Saunders, president of the Santa Clara Police Officers Association. As the Chief of Police, I am committed to continuing the relationships we have with our residents. I will work with both sides to find a solution.
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“The media painted this as I’m anti-American, anti-men-and-women of the military and that’s not the case at all”, the star quarterback told reporters after his team walked away with a win against the San Diego Chargers on Thursday, Sept. 1.
