Published on Alternet (http://www.alternet.org)
Home > Thousands Sign Petition Supporting SF 49er Colin Kaepernick's Brave
Stance on Racial Justice
________________________________________
Thousands Sign Petition Supporting SF 49er Colin Kaepernick's Brave Stance
on Racial Justice
By Steven Rosenfeld [1] / AlterNet [2]
August 30, 2016
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick did not stand up for a
playing of the national anthem in a preseason game last weekend, sparking a
storm of protest.
"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that
oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than
football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way," he
explained.
The nonprofit RootsAction.org has launched a petition drive [3] to stand
with Kaepernick.
In its first hours, more than 10,000 people signed the petition and added an
array of intruguing comments.
"Hang in there and stay strong Colin. Your team should support you," said
Michael Rodenburger of San Jose, Calif.
"The right to protest is a basic American right. You may not agree with what
he did, but he has the right to do it," said Barbara Von Benken of Broadview
Heights, Ohio.
"Muhammad Ali would be proud of you!" said Tom and Helen Sager of Rolla,
Missouri.
"Perhaps when 'liberty and justice for all' is a reality, it will be easier
to stand for the pledge," said Janet Kothrade of Snowflake, Arizona.
"Your right to express your ideas is the founding notion of the United
States. I support you entirely. Stay strong and think clearly," said
Catherine Twohill of Yonkers, New York.
"I find it appalling that your fellow citizens wish to deny you your
constitutional right to protest," said Jodi Wibbels of Englewood, Colorado.
"I'm not a football fan, but I'm white and support your decision 100%," said
Dan O'Connor of Arroyo Grande, Calif.
Add your name and comment to the petition [4].
Steven Rosenfeld covers national political issues for AlterNet, including
America's retirement crisis, democracy and voting rights, and campaigns and
elections. He is the author of "Count My Vote: A Citizen's Guide to Voting"
(AlterNet Books, 2008).
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Report typos and corrections to 'corrections@xxxxxxxxxxxx'. [5]
[6]
________________________________________
Source URL:
http://www.alternet.org/activism/thousands-sign-petition-supporting-sf-49er-
colin-kaepernicks-brave-stance-racial-justice
Links:
[1] http://www.alternet.org/authors/steven-rosenfeld
[2] http://alternet.org
[3]
https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=12452
[4]
https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=12452#
[5] mailto:corrections@xxxxxxxxxxxx?Subject=Typo on Thousands Sign Petition
Supporting SF 49er Colin Kaepernick's Brave Stance on Racial Justice
[6] http://www.alternet.org/
[7] http://www.alternet.org/%2Bnew_src%2B
Published on Alternet (http://www.alternet.org)
Home > Thousands Sign Petition Supporting SF 49er Colin Kaepernick's Brave
Stance on Racial Justice
Thousands Sign Petition Supporting SF 49er Colin Kaepernick's Brave Stance
on Racial Justice
By Steven Rosenfeld [1] / AlterNet [2]
August 30, 2016
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick did not stand up for a
playing of the national anthem in a preseason game last weekend, sparking a
storm of protest.
"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that
oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than
football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way," he
explained.
The nonprofit RootsAction.org has launched a petition drive [3] to stand
with Kaepernick.
In its first hours, more than 10,000 people signed the petition and added an
array of intruguing comments.
"Hang in there and stay strong Colin. Your team should support you," said
Michael Rodenburger of San Jose, Calif.
"The right to protest is a basic American right. You may not agree with what
he did, but he has the right to do it," said Barbara Von Benken of Broadview
Heights, Ohio.
"Muhammad Ali would be proud of you!" said Tom and Helen Sager of Rolla,
Missouri.
"Perhaps when 'liberty and justice for all' is a reality, it will be easier
to stand for the pledge," said Janet Kothrade of Snowflake, Arizona.
"Your right to express your ideas is the founding notion of the United
States. I support you entirely. Stay strong and think clearly," said
Catherine Twohill of Yonkers, New York.
"I find it appalling that your fellow citizens wish to deny you your
constitutional right to protest," said Jodi Wibbels of Englewood, Colorado.
"I'm not a football fan, but I'm white and support your decision 100%," said
Dan O'Connor of Arroyo Grande, Calif.
Add your name and comment to the Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. [4].
Steven Rosenfeld covers national political issues for AlterNet, including
America's retirement crisis, democracy and voting rights, and campaigns and
elections. He is the author of "Count My Vote: A Citizen's Guide to Voting"
(AlterNet Books, 2008).
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.
Report typos and corrections to 'corrections@xxxxxxxxxxxx'. [5]
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.[6]
Source URL:
http://www.alternet.org/activism/thousands-sign-petition-supporting-sf-49er-
colin-kaepernicks-brave-stance-racial-justice
Links:
[1] http://www.alternet.org/authors/steven-rosenfeld
[2] http://alternet.org
[3]
https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=12452
[4]
https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=12452#
[5] mailto:corrections@xxxxxxxxxxxx?Subject=Typo on Thousands Sign Petition
Supporting SF 49er Colin Kaepernick's Brave Stance on Racial Justice
[6] http://www.alternet.org/
[7] http://www.alternet.org/%2Bnew_src%2B
