VoteVets.org: Colin Kaepernick

Please join and support VoteVets.org for all their great work to protect Democracy ans support our Veterans! 

Over the past few weeks, there's been a lot of talk about sports and patriotism, and what it means to be patriotic in the United States of America.

Here's the truth: it is very easy to put a flag pin on an expensive suit or place a yellow ribbon magnet on a vehicle. It is much harder to take a stand against injustice in our communities, especially when risking fame and fortune by doing so.

Whatever you think about San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's protest against racial injustice and police brutality, we were struck by a passage of a New York Daily News op-ed written by Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran Brandon Friedman:

"So if you happen to be a real patriot, lay off folks like Douglas and try to focus on protecting Kaepernick's right to protest, even if you don't agree with him. Those of us who've worked in the business of protecting and defending the Constitution don't get to decide how those we defend exercise their rights. They have them, and that should be good enough for us."

This issue is getting a lot of attention right now, and out of love for our country and its ideals, it's important that veterans who have signed up to serve their country, their family members, and those who support them make their voices heard:

Sign our card supporting Colin Kaepernick and his right to protest by kneeling during the National Anthem and we will do our best to get it to him this week.

Last night, Colin Kaepernick kept his word and kneeled during the national anthem before the 49ers preseason game against San Diego. He was joined by one teammate, and an opponent across the field.

These issues -- both the ones Kaepernick is drawing attention to and the question of what it means to be patriotic in this country -- are not going away. And that's good, because both deserve real attention.

And as they're considered, it should be no surprise that over the course of the past week, veterans have been some of the loudest defenders of Colin Kaepernick. We hope that you'll add your name in support of Colin Kaepernick as these conversations continue.

All our best,

The team at VoteVets



PAID FOR BY VOTEVETS ACTION FUND