Peaceful Protests In America

Several National Football League players have been trying to send a message to the public with their actions during the national anthem. Some fans are obsessing about whether players should take a knee, raise a fist or lock arms during the national anthem before games. However, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman said they should be talking about the reasons why players are protesting. It is because the recent news stories of police officers killing unarmed African- American people. Sherman says Americans should focus on the message being sent with this protesting.

Both of the professional quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Tim Tebow are known for taking a knee on the field, but for very different reasons. Tebow kneels on the field giving thanks in prayer, while Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem in protest. Tebow is a proud member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a pro-life spokesperson. Kaepernick has become a philanthropist and activist who protests injustice against African-Americans (“ON THEIR KNEES”). As stated by Michael Frost, writer for the Washington Post, “One version is kneeling in private prayer.

Colin Kaepernick Kneels During Salute At Game. Colin Kaepernick a full time NFL player decided he wanted to Kneel during the national anthem because he was against the social injustice and racial profiling by cops in America mostly the cops in Colorado. Colin, who had never done this before or has ever protested against this before, sparked controversy around the country because people thought it was rude, controversial, a stunt and irresponsible use of his power with his fans. Since then Colin has joined protests against this and other big time and small players have since kneeled or sat down during the solute.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is standing up for people who he feels are being mistreated or are unable to correct the wrongs being done to them. When he chose to sit, (or kneel) for the National Anthem, he was doing so knowing it would bring himself and his message to the country. His overall goal is to stop police brutality and bring about a better tomorrow. I wholeheartedly agree with Kaepernick idea and goal. Many people hear about police brutality and about suspects being killed while trying to flee.

Therefore, lots of people in America state that Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, shouldn’t make his protest in that manner. In contrast, Colin Kaepernick should have protested in his manner for the following reasons. To begin with, the action made by Colin Kaepernick was a really effective way to attract attention. After the game that he first started his protesting, lots of reporters dash to Kaepernick and tried to interview him even though there was no interview.

Colin told the media the reason that he did not stand for the national anthem was because he refused to stand for a country that oppresses black people. Colin Kaepernick also stated, "To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street, and people getting paid leave, and getting away with murder”. The 49ers then issued a statement about Colin Kaepernick's decision stating, "The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens.

Kneeling during the national anthem is completely irrelevant to the problem trying to be addressed. It only has caused disruption and arguments. People supporting the cause believe they are being treated unfairly in some way, but if you ask anyone, any group, or minority, they’re going to tell you how they’re being treated

The protests should have been encouraged and allowed as long as they stayed peaceful. These protests are what changed American society to become what it is today. Without it we would be stuck in the ways of

The current debate over kneeling or sitting in protest during the National anthem ignited by Colin Kaepernick in 2016 has escalated to become a nationally divisive issue. Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers refuse to stand during “the Star Spangled Banner” Aug. 2016, to protest against racial injustice and police brutality in the United States. These athletics that chose not to stand for the national anthem because there was a message they wanted to send. Needless to say, an individual has a right to believe as they so choose. Kaepernick along with many others feel that not standing for the national anthem is a peaceful way to protest and release their feelings.

As a quarterback in the NFL, Colin Kaepernick has thousands of eyes on him during games. He took an opportunity to “stand up” for what he believed in by taking a knee during the national anthem. Although many people agree with what he was trying to stand up for with the Black Lives Matter cause, many also believe he did it in the wrong fashion. The reason many people believe Kaepernick was in the wrong when he knelt for the national anthem is because these people feel he is disrespecting not only the United States, but also the troops that have fought to keep our great nation free. Although there are many people that disagree with his actions, there are also a vast amount of people that support him, and have even joined in with his protest.

Steven Sternberg Mrs. Burns English 1 CP 1 March, 2018 The Flag Protest “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color” (Kaepernick, Colin). The flag protest has been a protest existing for a long time but, recently sparked lots of controversy. Although kneeling during the national anthem may seem disrespectful are often seen as a disrespect to the flag and troops, a inefficient way to promote a cause, and anger many people in shows division in the country, it can show that the ideals of freedom is justified, it generates conversation and awareness about topic, and is a legal form of peaceful protest.

Being at an NFL game was not the correct time or place to hold a silent protest, and there are people that fight to give Americans the freedoms and rights that they have, so why disrespect those who risk their lives for the USA. It may be one simple act of protest, but not only does it disrespect those fighting but their family and friends too. Like every situation in life, there are two sides to every story, both sides of this one have reasonable arguments. In conclusion, most people frown upon any type of act to disrespect those who give them their freedoms and rights, as well as those who’s duty is to keep communities

Everyone wants to be heard. Everyone wants to be noticed. Everyone wants to make a change in this world, and allowing them to do something in protest peaceful gives them that voice that they so desperately crave and desire to have on this ever so cruel

Holly Pryle Emily Chappell English 121 22 March 2018 Kneeling for the Anthem Every American child is raised with the knowledge that they were born in a country that by law gives them freedom of self-expression and the right to protest. However, this right does not mean that people must agree with you and in many cases, groups wind up at odds over differing opinions. Over the past few years America has seen many examples of this, most notably football players protesting injustice by kneeling during the anthem.

During the first three preseason games of the 2016 NFL season, Colin Kaepernick formerly quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers sat through the national anthem in protest of police brutality towards African American individuals. When asked about it, Kaepernick said, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour.” News outlets immediately attacked