Obama defends Colin Kaepernick’s right to protest
ASSOCIATED PRESS
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, middle, kneels during the national anthem before a game against the San Diego Chargers on Thursday in San Diego.
HANGZHOU, China » President Barack Obama today acknowledged that for some people it is a “tough thing” to see Colin Kaepernick kneel instead of stand for the American flag and national anthem, but defended the NFL quarterback, saying he was “exercising his constitutional right to make a statement.”
The flag and anthem have so much meaning for many men and women in uniform and others who have defended the country that the style of Kaepernick’s protest may make it difficult for them to “hear what his deeper concerns are,” Obama said.
But he said he would rather see people engaged in the argument than “just sitting on the sidelines.” Obama spoke after a Group of 20 summit in Hangzhou, part of a weeklong trip to Asia.
Obama initially said that he hadn’t been paying close attention to the Kaepernick controversy, but then delivered a carefully nuanced response, saying that he doesn’t doubt the sincerity of the San Francisco 49ers quarterback and that Kaepernick “cares about some real legitimate issues that have to be talked about.”
If nothing else, Obama said, Kaepernick has people talking about race, equality and discrimination.
Kaepernick’s protest has been a lightning rod for criticism and praise for the past week. He hasn’t stood for the anthem at any of the preseason games, at first choosing to sit and then, last Thursday, kneeling with teammate Eric Reid.
Kaepernick has said police brutality and racial injustice are among the reasons for his protest and indicated that he will keep it up during the regular season that begins Sept. 12 with a game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The reactions to Kaepernick’s protest have been dramatic. Supportive fans have clamored for autographs and sales of his jersey have skyrocketed. Team officials say they stand behind the quarterback and his right not to participate.
But other fans have heckled and booed Kaepernick, and the Santa Clara police union has threatened to boycott their usual security duties at the 49ers games.
Maybe over time, Obama said, Kaepernick will refine his thoughts and some of his critics will start seeing that he has a point.
“Sometimes it’s messy,” he said. “That’s how democracy works.”
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©2016 Tribune Co.
10 responses to “Obama defends Colin Kaepernick’s right to protest”
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Birds of the same feather flock together…I have no respect for anyone that doesn’t respect our country, our flag, the police, military but most of all, OUR COUNTRY. For Kaepernick to wear socks with the police as pigs, is that what Obama respects Kaepernick, also. I don’t care if Obama is the POTUS and its Kaepernick’s right not to respect the flag, both are PIGS with the same SMELL……nothing more and nothing less and I hope this comment is not moderated…..
Lol, crack pot says he has no respect for people that don’t respect the USA then calls the USA POTUS pig. Leave this country now crack pot.
I have nothing but the utmost respect and appreciation for those that currently and previously have put their lives on the line, and I far too many cases given their lives for my freedom. This freedom however, is not just a result those in the military. Our freedoms were created and have been defended by so many others, such as police officers and those with the sheriffs’ departments, boarder patrol and harbor authorities, those in our legal systems such as judges, prosecutors and public defenders, and even politicians. The list goes on and on. Having said all that, while still being thankful for all those mentioned above, I am not a veteran, nor have I served in any of those capacities. Nevertheless, I would challenge anyone to question my patriotism, or the patriotism of millions of other Americans. Every time I hear our national anthem, I stop what I am doing and stand at attention, and quite often will have a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. The overwhelming majority of Americans, I am certain are not in any way shape or form in support of police brutality, profiling, or other wrong being committed against our fellow Americans. The small number of law enforcement that feels that have a right to, or obligation to exercise their own prejudices while “serving and protection us”, is a minuscule number. By categorizing all Americans as being tolerant of this injustice, and by dishonoring the overwhelming majority of Americans that are proud to stand and give respect, is disappointing to say the least.
Obama gets involved and makes comments on what most world leaders would consider trivial. He really is a community leader, not a president. From the beginning when he got involved with the “Gates” incident when he said the cops acted “stupidly”, then had a beer summit. Of course he found out later that the cop acted appropriately. This is ridiculous. We have big problems in this country – our economy, vetting immigrants, jobs, housing and he has to worry about this bonehead.
“he said he would rather see people engaged in the argument than “just sitting on the sidelines.” ”
but that is precisely what kaepernick is doing, sitting on the sidelines.
Obama should kneel with him during the games.
Of course O does. From his bud the Professor to trayvon to michael brown to all blacks in between.
Whoa! This is a joke right ? An American President’s comments siding with an ill-mannered , disrespectful American using the national anthem to make a statement!!?
The President is right, of course.
The Constitution is a great document, and it’s obvious that very few people commenting here have either read or understand it.
What Kapernick has started is like a cancer in an already ill body. More and more cancer cells (dissidents with warped sense of values) will be attracted to this core. You see it everyday with ‘copy cats’ seeking notice and unfortunately the biggest offender being Mr. Obama to condone this anti-American and unpatriotic posture. Liberals have gone too far in stretching the intents of free speech in justifying every anti-establishment speech and actions, void of ethical, moral and Christian conduct that are hurtful to our country and majority of citizens.