Members of the military are coming together in a massive show of solidarity and encouragement for NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Taking to social media with a bold outpouring of support for Kaepernick’s controversial decision to sit during the National Anthem in protest of the police brutality epidemic against Black people, thousands of U.S. soldiers and military veterans of all races shared photos of themselves accompanied by passionate captions that included the hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick.
Because I'm a black woman in and out of uniform #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/sBIhPQvmiB
— Liberation Brown (@LiberationBrown) August 31, 2016
#VeteransForKaepernick because I didn't volunteer to defend a country where police brutality is swept under the rug. pic.twitter.com/LtBkTvHHAn
— Baltic Avenue (@Baltic_Avenue) August 31, 2016
Don't use my service–or that of any veteran–to justify the silencing of black Americans. Not on my watch. #VeteransForKaepernick
— Charles Clymer (@cmclymer) August 31, 2016
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Served from 97-2014 and I'm a firm believer of freedom of speech and expression. #nofilter #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/ZDPdmz9xMr
— Erica Diggs (@DiggsandCo) August 31, 2016
8 Years Active Duty. Twice in the sandbox. He can sit or stand as long as the 🇺🇸 waves. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/95yx9lUPZN
— McAnthony Brisco (@Bcounty510) August 31, 2016
The powerful gesture speaks volumes about why the reasoning behind Kaepernick’s decision is valid and necessary amid growing criticisms from politicians, other NFL players and some in the sports media community. If men and women who risk their lives to defend the American flag can stand behind the decision of a prominent public figure questioning the validity of its symbolism, surely that has to count for something big in the eyes of lawmakers, right?