Prominent NYPD officers show support for Colin Kaepernick during Brooklyn rally
Some cops say that they have Colin Kaepernick’s back and it’s all because he took a knee.
Ex- and current law enforcement officers turned out Saturday to show support for the embattled NFL quarterback, who took a stand against racism and police violence only to apparently lose his career over it.
“What Colin Kaepernick did is try to bring awareness that this nation, unfortunately, has ignored for far too long,” said NYPD Sgt. Edwin Raymond, who helped organize the event in Brooklyn.
“And that’s the issue of racism in America and policing in America. We decided to gather here today because of the way he’s being railroaded for speaking the obvious truth.”
Supporters of Kaepernick have claimed he has been blackballed because of his politics.
Dozens of cops turned out in Brooklyn, wearing black shirts with the logo “#ImWithKap” emblazoned on them though City Council member Jumaane Williams wore a red Kaepernick jersey instead.
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At the end of the event, everyone there raised their fists and took a synchronized knee to show their support of the former San Francisco starter.
Kaepernick is still unsigned after opting out of his 49ers contract, even after he said he would stand for the anthem going forward.
“The fact that this man is no longer in the NFL has nothing to do with stats on the football field, but for taking a knee and pointing out some of the flaws that have been tormenting people of color in this country for decades,” said Darius Gordon of the Justice League NYC.
Stanley Fritz of Citizen Action of New York also suggested that Kaepernick was barred from the league over his politics.
“Colin took a knee because so many black and brown bodies have seen violence put against them with no repercussions,” stated Fritz.
“And because of that, despite his obvious ability to play on the field, he’s being blocked from joining a team.”
