Activist Support Colin Kaepernick in “United We Stand” Rally
The NFL regular season begins on Sept. 7, 2017, and former San Fransisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick is still unsigned by a team. “United We Stand” rallies took place simultaneously in New York City outside of the NFL headquarters and in Atlanta at the historic Morris Brown College on Aug. 24. Activists gathered to show support for the embattled football star and his radical political views. Many attendees of the United We Stand rally said that the event was not just to show support for Kaepernick, but to also stand in solidarity with the victims of the Charlottesville attack.

Take a look at the video below for coverage from the “Unite the Right” rally in Atlanta. Sponsors of the Atlanta Unite the Right rally include the National Action Network, NAACP, Justice League, Women’s March, Digital Boycott, Unstripped Voice, SCLC, United or Die, 360°God and more.
Kaepernick began protesting the National Anthem on Sept. 1, 2016, the last preseason game for the 49ers. After the game, Kaepernick revealed that he decided to protest the “Star-Spangled Banner” because he could not “stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color.” Kaepernick also sited the Black bodies who have been killed by police as one of the reasons he was prompted to begin protesting.
“There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder,” the 29 year-old said referencing the Black Lives Matter movement in an interview with NFL Media. Kaepernick refused to stand during the playing of the anthem. His comment sent white America into a temper tantrum and the white tears floweth.
After a tumultuous 2016 season, Kaepernick officially opted out of his contract with the 49ers on March 3, 2017. This decision came after the team restructured his contract; and as a result, he became a free agent. Since then, several teams have expressed an interest in signing the founder of the “Know Your Rights” campaign but no offers have been made yet.
The United We Stand rallies were held to bring attention to Kaepernick’s situation and keep it at the forefront of people’s minds. Thousands of supporters have pledged to revoke their support of the NFL by not watching games this season or until Kaepernick is signed.
While many people believe that Kaepernick’s failure to be picked up by another team is due to his lackluster performance, his future in the league was not jeopardized until he began standing up for social injustices.
Despite whether you agree with Kaepernick’s views or protest, his voice should not be silenced for advocating for basic human rights. Those who domestically abuse their partners, partake in drug usage or sexually assault others are punished less severely than Kaepernick is. Standing up for social injustices in no way compares to the aforementioned acts and being blackballed by the league is an injustice itself. Whether sports fans globally continue to support the NFL is their own choice, but they should do so by continuing to support Kaepernick in the process.
