Colin Kaepernick shares emotional video marking 3rd anniversary of his #TakeAKnee protest
Colin Kaepernick, who made headlines in 2016 when he refused to stand during the National Anthem to protest the police brutality against African Americans, has posted an emotional video on Wednesday, August 14, reminding the internet about the three-year anniversary of his first pregame #TakeaKnee protest.
"Today marks the three year anniversary of the first time I protested systemic oppression," Kaepernick wrote on Twitter.
"I continue to work and stand with the people in our fight for liberation, despite those who are trying to erase the movement! The movement has always lived with the people!"
The tweet was accompanied by a video showing African Americans being killed by police, including the case of 12-year-old Tamir Rice.
The video also features the former NFL player reiterating the purpose of his protest, CNN reports.
Today marks the three year anniversary of the first time I protested systemic oppression. I continue to work and stand with the people in our fight for liberation, despite those who are trying to erase the movement! The movement has always lived with the people! ✊🏾
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) August 14, 2019
🎥: @REL pic.twitter.com/TAqumRfjbi
Kaepernick's first protest came on August 14, 2016, during a home preseason game against the Houston Texans.
In 2016, he sparked nationwide backlash after sitting, then kneeling before a series of pre-season and regular-season games. As a result of that, he has not been allowed to play in the league since then.
The athlete turned activist pitched to NFL bosses last week that he's ready to play again by posting a 59-second video on his Twitter account of him working out.
In the controversial video, the words "Denied work for 889 days" flashed multiple times across the screen.
"5 a.m., five days a week, for three years. Still ready," said Kaepernick, who gave six years of his career to the 49ers.
The anti-Trump football star became a free agent in 2017 but no team was ready to offer him a contract. Frustrated, he filed a grievance against the league in October that year, saying team bosses had joined hands to keep him away from being signed into any franchise.
The football star spurred nationwide controversy by taking a knee during the national anthem in order to protest inequality and racist police brutality.
Following in his footsteps, other football players also chose to demonstrate their dissent in a similar fashion.
One such protester, Eric Reid, joined Kaepernick in the official grievance letter filed with the NFL in October 2017, alleging that, influenced by President Donald Trump, team owners and the league colluded to prevent their employment following their protest.
Both Reid and Kaepernick settled their collusion grievances cases against the NFL in February this year.
