More Than 1,000 at NFL Headquarters Demand: Colin Kaepernick Must Be Hired!
August 24, 2017 | Revolution Newspaper | revcom.us
Over a thousand people, overwhelmingly African American, rallied in support of football quarterback Colin Kaepernick in front of NFL Headquarters on 5th Avenue in New York City August 23. People came from as far away as D.C. to take part. Speakers at the rally included religious leaders, local politicians, and two of the leaders of the January 21 international Women’s March. Political commenter Symone Sanders was one of the MC’s. Dozens of members of the Black fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi, which is organizing nationally for Kap, turned out. Actress Susan Sarandon sent her support on social media, tweeting “together we win. I stand with Colin.”
Last year Kaepernick, then a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, started a national movement of professional football players which spread to other sports, by refusing to stand for the national anthem to protest police murder and brutality against people of color. In retaliation, since leaving the 49ers at the end of the season Kap has been blackballed by the owners of every team, who refuse to sign him. A national call has spread to boycott and protest the NFL till he is signed.
The sense of seriousness and determination at the rally was palpable. It was clear in speaking to people that events in Charlottesville, and Trump’s response supporting the white supremacists have greatly affected people. After the rally ended members of the Revolution Club and Refuse Fascism announced the call by Refuse Fascism–“NO! November 4: It Begins—This Nightmare Must End: The Trump/Pence Regime Must Go.”
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