Video: Hundreds Rally for Colin Kaepernick Outside NFL’s Manhattan HQ

Activists rally in support of NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick on August 23 in New York City. Drew Angerer / Getty Images
Activists rally in support of NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick on August 23 in New York City.

*Believing Colin Kaepernick has been blackballed by the NFL over his national anthem protests, hundreds of demonstrators descended upon the league’s Manhattan headquarters Wednesday evening to support the former quarterback and call for a boycott of NFL games.

Despite taking his San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2013, Kaepernick has yet to be signed by an NFL team ahead of the 2017 season. His supporters believe the reason is the political stance he chose to take rather than his ability to play the game.

“We are here because we believe that Colin Kaepernick, deserves a job,” said Democratic strategist and political commentator Symone Sanders at the start of at the “United We Stand” rally. “And we also believe that the Nation Football League has been complicit in the [ostracizing] of Colin Kaepranick and today it’s time for the NFL to take a stand.”

Democratic strategist and political commentator Symone Sanders (L) at the Kaepernick rally (Aug. 23, 2017 - New York City)
Democratic strategist and political commentator Symone Sanders (L) at the Kaepernick rally (Aug. 23, 2017 – New York City)

Many in the large crowd wore Kaepernick jerseys and some held “Black Lives Matter” signs.

“We know that Kaep has been taking a knee for reverence and the memory of those who have lost their lives to the police, others are now taking a knee and sitting down for all the victims of white supremacy and white nationalism — even white players are doing it now,” reverend and radio host Mark Thompson told NBC News at the Manhattan rally.

Kaepernick opted out of his 49ers contract in March and with the NFL pre-season underway, protests have continued in his absence. On Monday, about a dozen Cleveland Browns players knelt and prayed in silent protest during the national anthem — including one white player, Seth DeValve.

View the AP’s recap of the rally below:

YouTube video

Earlier Wednesday, the NAACP sent a letter calling for a meeting with the NFL to discuss the issue of free speech and Kaepernick’s position in the debate. Sanders said at the rally that the NFL declined the meeting.

“Last season, Mr. Kaepernick chose to exercise his first amendment right by protesting the inequitable treatment of people of color in America,” said NAACP interim President and CEO Derrick Johnson in the letter. “By quietly taking a knee during the national anthem, he was able to shine a light on the many injustices faced by people of color, particularly the issue of police misconduct toward communities of color.”

Johnson wrote that it was becoming clear it was “no sheer coincidence” that Kaepernick was not yet signed to a team.

“No player should be victimized and discriminated against because of his exercise of free speech – to do so is in violation of his rights under the Constitution and the NFL’s own regulations,” he wrote.

YouTube video

NAACP national board member and New York State Conference President Hazel Dukes said at the rally they wanted “send a clear signal” and making money off of players, “it’s about respect for our communities and especially for our black brothers, when 70 percent of your players are African Americans.”

“We’re standing today for his rights,” she said of Kaepernick.

View more footage from the protest outside NFL headquarters below:

YouTube video

We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!

Donald Trump at Detroit Economic Club - screenshot
Naomi Osaka (Chris Hyde-Getty Images)
Harlem season 3 - via Prime Video
Using Ocean water to fight fire
Meta
Rymir Satterthwaite - screenshot
Black-owned Altadena home burns to the ground in Eaton Canyon fire - Photo by Solomon O. Smith
Djimon Hounsou
Beyoncé and LA fires in Background
Obama and Trump laughing it up at Jimmy Carter Funeral - screenshot
Cooking With Kya
Read More
Ryan Levert - via Instagram
Read More
Otis Williams (Stefan Brending via Creative Commons)
Read More
Aaron Pierre - screenshot
Read More
George W. Bush - Donald Trump (Getty)
Read More
Denzel Washington getting baptized
Read More
Shamsud Din Jabbar - YouTube screenshot
Read More
Jimmy Butler & Kaitlin Nowak - screenshot
Read More
New Orleans New Years Eve Terror Attack
Read More
WICKED: PART 1
Read More

POPULAR

Donald Trump at Detroit Economic Club - screenshot
Trump's 2025 Inauguration Sees Fewer Protests and Hotel Bookings Compared to 2017
Naomi Osaka (Chris Hyde-Getty Images)
Naomi Osaka Had Daughter's Birth Certificate Retrieved from Home Amid LA Wildfires
Harlem season 3 - via Prime Video
‘Harlem’ Season 3 Will be Amazon Prime Video Show’s Final Season | WATCH Trailer
Using Ocean water to fight fire
Salty Solutions: Evaluating the Use of Sea/Ocean Water in Wildfire Fighting Strategies | WATCH
Meta
Meta Dismantles Diversity Initiatives, Terminates DEI Team
Rymir Satterthwaite - screenshot
Rymir Satterthwaite: More About the Man Seeking Answers About His Alleged Paternity with Jay-Z | WATCH
Black-owned Altadena home burns to the ground in Eaton Canyon fire - Photo by Solomon O. Smith
Devastating Fires in Pasadena and Altadena Disproportionately Impact Black Families and Overwhelm Fire Protection Services | VIDEO
Djimon Hounsou
Djimon Hounsou Discusses Hollywood Racism and His Financial Difficulties
Beyoncé and LA fires in Background
Now That's Generosity! Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Foundation Donates $2.5 Million for Los Angeles Fire Relief | VIDEO
1 2 3 8,499