Colin Kaepernick was shunned by most of the country three years ago when the 49ers quarterback took a knee during the National Anthem to raise awareness to and protest centuries of systemic racism and recent police brutality.
Years later, the Unites States is facing the same issues.
43-year-old George Floyd was killed by police this week in Minneapolis, Minnesota after an officer suffocated him by ironically kneeling himself, atop Floyd’s neck. Heartbreaking and shocking video of the incident didn’t take long to go viral, and has led to outcry across America for reform.
Kaepernick, who’s been out of the league since the season in which he knelt, tweeted his respects for Floyd on Thursday, calling for a revolt in order to see change after peaceful protests have been not only ignored, but mocked.
When civility leads to death, revolting is the only logical reaction.
The cries for peace will rain down, and when they do, they will land on deaf ears, because your violence has brought this resistance.
We have the right to fight back!
Rest in Power George Floyd
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) May 28, 2020
The city of Minneapolis has already seen widespread protests, some of which have turned violent and led to looting, rioting and fires, leaving some areas of the city looking like a war zone.
A look at buildings burning in Minneapolis from the protests over the death of George Floyd 👀😳 📸 (IG- reed.bartelings) pic.twitter.com/EQCKoDgPpg
— WORLDSTARHIPHOP (@WORLDSTAR) May 28, 2020
A few scenes from the aftermath here in Minneapolis. #GeorgeFloyd #minneapolisriots pic.twitter.com/OM9knLyCt8
— Hakan Çınar (@DrHakancnr) May 28, 2020
Minneapolis, Minn. on the morning of 28 May, 2020 following a night of race rioting. Buildings have been burned to the ground and stores looted as an alleged act of protest against the death of George Floyd. #BlackLivesMatter #Antifa pic.twitter.com/kvISMLN0jK
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) May 28, 2020
The four officers involved in the incident have been received of their duties at the department, but protestors are calling for charges to be filed against them.
