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Vol. 80/No. 38 October 10, 2016
Athletes’ protests against killings by cops spread
Associated Press/Darron Cummings
The entire Indiana Fever women’s basketball team kneeled during the
playing of the national anthem before their game against the Phoenix
Mercury in Indianapolis Sept. 21. Two Mercury players, Mistie Bass and
Kelsey Bone, did the same. The action was part of spreading protests by
athletes — both African-Americans and Caucasians — begun by San
Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, against cop brutality,
killings and racist discrimination.
“The reason these guys are kneeling, the reason we’re locking arms is to
bring people together to make people aware that this is not right,”
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman told a news conference Sept.
21, days after cops killed Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and
Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, North Carolina. “They’re trying to
bring people together and unite them for a cause.”
About two dozen NFL players have joined the protest, as well as athletes
from college and high school football and volleyball teams, and
cheerleaders at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Prior to their
game Sept. 25 Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton wore a black
T-shirt that read, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice
everywhere,” as protesters rallied by the stadium.
“We all have inalienable rights as a citizen of this country and they’re
being violated, and that’s what I think Colin is standing up for,” 49ers
coach Chip Kelly told ESPN, backing Kaepernick’s protest actions.
— BRIAN WILLIAMS
Related articles:
Killing by Charlotte police sparks protests, discussion
Socialist Workers Party: Protest police brutality!
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