To: National Football League Owners
NFL owners should support players' right to protest
The NFL is preventing players from protesting police brutality. The owner of the New York Jets is already taking a stand. We need other owners to do the same.
Why is this important?
The National Football League’s new policy preventing players from protesting police brutality and racial injustice during the National Anthem isn’t just an insult to the First Amendment. It’s also a complete cave to Donald Trump and the virulent strain of white supremacy this White House emboldens every day.
Two years ago, when Colin Kaepernick first took a knee on the field to protest racial injustice, I was proud to lead 14 of my colleagues in the New York City Council in taking a knee in solidarity with protesting players. When our protest got reported on the news, I received vitriolic hate mail in response.
This is bigger than just football. For NFL owners to submit to Trump’s demands and stifle players’ ability to stand up for what they believe sends a terrible message to the entire country, and it’s morally reprehensible.
That’s why I was pleased to see the New York Jets’ owner and CEO Christopher Johnson say that he would pay any fine that his players incurred for protesting, and support any players who feel the need to stand up and speak out. We need more NFL owners to speak out and do the same.
I am starting a petition calling on all NFL owners to join in supporting their players’ right to free speech and peaceful protests. Can you add your name and then share it with your friends?