‘I served for his right to protest’: Veterans take over Twitter with support for NFL’s Kaepernick
After days of shaming, NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who refused to stand for US anthem, has seen a wave of massive support emanating from American veterans. Their hashtag, #VeteransforKaepernick, soon started trending worldwide.
Kaepernick’s silent protest put the San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback in the national spotlight.
Speaking in the face of immediate criticism, Kaepernick explained that he was “not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”
READ MORE: NFL player refuses to stand for US anthem as part of anti-racism protest
While supported by his team and former coach, the quarterback was lambasted by NFL fans on social media, anonymous NFL executives and even his biological mother.
However, I personally do not agree with the manner in which he chose to do it.
— Heidi Russo (@Heidirn1) August 31, 2016
However, the widespread criticism was balanced by a massive wave of support from American veterans who stood up online for Kaepernick’s right to sit down.
At some point, their #VeteransforKaepernick was trending online with thousands of tweets of support.
My grandfather served so Rosa Parks could sit down. I served so @Kaepernick7 could sit down. #VeteransForKaepernickpic.twitter.com/YWNU5TJTLe
— Charles Bassett (@CharlesBassett) August 31, 2016
I serve for his right to protest.. I don't serve for Police Brutality.. #VeteransForKaepernickpic.twitter.com/Q6GUNTwHDO
— Airbnb Papi (@JoeOnDemand) August 31, 2016
May not agree with his method of protest but fought for and respect his right to do it #VeteransForKaepernickpic.twitter.com/XkLqhW0UsZ
— Johnny Painter (@damnredskinsfan) August 31, 2016
Many veterans, who served for the US, did not address Kaepernick, but rather those who scolded him as a “traitor.”
Don't ever use my service to justify racism or shame someone for exercising their rights. #VeteransForKaepernickpic.twitter.com/0W7ambfRth
— Sergio (@SERGIOTHE3RD) August 31, 2016
I took my oath to protect everyone's freedom and equality, not police brutality and racism. #VeteransForKaepernickpic.twitter.com/m1W6CeBy80
— La Madrina (@QueenPoochh) August 31, 2016
Some recalled the case of India Kager, a 28-year-old navy veteran. In September 2015, she was fatally shot by Virginia Beach police.
Kager left behind her four-month-old child, who had been in her car’s back seat at the time of the shooting.
#IndiaKager Served her country. Police served her a death sentence. #VeteransForKaepernickpic.twitter.com/2HcnMP1MlB
— ChuckModi (@ChuckModi1) August 31, 2016
#IndiaKager was a vet. #WalterScott was a vet. Where were all the vet loving "patriots" when we called for justice? #VeteransForKaepernick
— IsobelDeBrujah (@IsobelDeBrujah) August 31, 2016
Black veterans took to Twitter to say that they supported Kaepernick because of their skin color.
I was a Black man before my service and will still be a Black man when I'm done #VeteransForKaepernickpic.twitter.com/Sjm8Laq9fB
— Dominique Thorpe (@GenuinelySpoken) August 31, 2016
Because I'm a black woman in and out of uniform #VeteransForKaepernickpic.twitter.com/sBIhPQvmiB
— Liberation Brown (@LiberationBrown) August 31, 2016
Before this uniform i was a man of color, always will be. #VeteransForKaepernickpic.twitter.com/iwZq1PBBKK
— Xavier Conley (@XfactorSpeed77) August 31, 2016
Others, in the meantime, grabbed the opportunity to stress the hypocrisy of Donald Trump supporters.
Kap sits for the Anthem & white racists attack. #Trump says America isn't great, and white racists cheer. #VeteransForKaepernick#racism
— Mary Frances Prevost (@CrimeDefense) August 31, 2016
Trump vs. Kaepernick 2016 #veteransforkaepernickpic.twitter.com/ts0reYXjuz
— Chris Sain Jr. (@Chris_Sain) August 31, 2016
#VeteransForKaepernick
— Gerald Peterson (@geraldpeterson4) August 31, 2016
many of the people accusing Kaepernick of disrespecting vets had no problem w/Trump disrespecting Gold Star mother.
Republican presidential nominee Trump has even demanded that the internet be shut down.
I'm calling for a complete shutdown of the internet until #VeteransForKaepernick stops trending. We have to figure out what is going on!!
— DonaId J. Trump (@realDenaldTrump) August 31, 2016
When Trump voters see #VeteransForKaepernickpic.twitter.com/0TFlgeRD3Z
— Pin Head (@PiercedSkull) August 31, 2016