U.S. national anthem protests (2016–present)
| U.S. national anthem protests | |
|---|---|
Colin Kapernick with San Francisco 49ers (2013)
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| Date | 2016–ongoing |
| Goals | End police brutality and racial inequality |
| Methods | Protest |
Since 2016, some U.S. professional athletes have silently protested police brutality and racial inequality during the playing of the U.S. national anthem. The demonstrations have generated mixed reactions. Some have called the protests unpatriotic and disrespectful of the U.S. flag, the national anthem, the police, and the military.
The protests began in the National Football League (NFL) after San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat and later kneeled during the anthem, as opposed to the tradition of standing, before his team's preseason games of 2016. Throughout the 2016 season, members of various NFL and other sports teams have engaged in similar silent protests. On September 24, 2017, the NFL protests became more widespread when over 200 players sat or kneeled in response to President Donald Trump's calling for owners to fire the protesting players.
It is a longstanding tradition in the United States to play The Star-Spangled Banner, the national anthem, before sporting events. Those present should stand at attention with right hand over heart.NFL players were not mandated to be on the field for the playing of the national anthem until 2009. The NFL has stated that "players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the National Anthem"; its game operations manual reads that players "should stand" for the anthem.
Americans are divided on the meaning of the anthem. Some believe it is honoring fallen military soldiers and police officers. For others, it honors the "entirety of the American experience." Kaepernick and his 49er teammate Eric Reid say they choose to kneel during the anthem to call attention to the issues of racial inequality and police brutality. "After hours of careful consideration, and even a visit from Nate Boyer, a retired Green Beret and former NFL player, we came to the conclusion that we should kneel, rather than sit, ... during the anthem as a peaceful protest," said Reid. "We chose to kneel because it’s a respectful gesture. I remember thinking our posture was like a flag flown at half-mast to mark a tragedy." Others believe that kneeling during the national anthem is an unacceptable way to draw attention to social issues and find it highly disrespectful to members of the military and police officers who have died in service of the United States.
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