Colin Kaepernick inflamed fans across the country last Friday when he chose not to stand for the national anthem in a 49ers preseason game. "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick reasoned after the game.
Social media reactions have been extremely mixed, with some coming to Kaepernick's side and others attacking him for being unpatriotic.
Recently, a new trend is developing. Using the hashtag, #VeteransForKaepernick, military veterans are showing their support of the quarterback's protest.
I was a Black man before my service and will still be a Black man when I'm done #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/Sjm8Laq9fB
— Dominique Thorpe (@GenuinelySpoken) August 31, 2016
4 and a half years of service with a deployment and a year long remote.@Kaepernick7 #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/aumFDdLnA0
— Marcus (@Marcus_Sniffles) August 31, 2016
#VeteransForKaepernick I served 5 years and I support you @Kaepernick7 ! Sitting or standing, exercise your rights! pic.twitter.com/uSoaS4H7fm
— Dionna Bratcher (@DionnaBratcher) August 31, 2016
I don't agree with all of his points, but I'll fight to the death for his right to say it. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/0jeFlIv5RX
— Isaac wright (@I_Zac33) August 31, 2016
I serve for his right to protest.. I don't serve for Police Brutality.. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/Q6GUNTwHDO
— Airbnb Papi (@JoeOnDemand) August 31, 2016
My father, a Marine, served his country in Vietnam. He says "we're far from justice for all" #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/8jXspHSOE6
— Blake J. Stanfill (@ShimmiHendrix) August 31, 2016
I'm riding with 7...I fought for freedom not a song #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/LZYUoHCbOT
— Phillip Richardson (@prich8604) August 31, 2016
I was brave enough to defend the rights of EVERYONE... Even those who dislike people like me. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/NwHn9PD8ps
— Brandy (@S4Diva1978) August 31, 2016
if you haven't served, don't speak on my behalf #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/30AtfIvaRI
— SHN (@brownlashon) August 31, 2016
Keep doing your thing. Salute. @Kaepernick7 #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/Ut1TMvBG1W
— dylan (@dyllyp) August 31, 2016
People who haven't served trying to tell us how we feel #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/LQo8EgfkgQ
— LeBron Flocka James (@Troncat_Montana) August 31, 2016
I stand by him 100% #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/ziXOgqzisU
— hunt (@roveing) August 31, 2016
Sums it up perfectly I think. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/0eV2hcWdFf
— Ata Dizdar (@ata_dizdar) August 31, 2016
8 Years Active Duty. Twice in the sandbox. He can sit or stand as long as the waves. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/95yx9lUPZN
— McAnthony Brisco (@Bcounty510) August 31, 2016
#VeteransForKaepernick because I didn't volunteer to defend a country where police brutality is swept under the rug. pic.twitter.com/LtBkTvHHAn
— Baltic Avenue (@Baltic_Avenue) August 31, 2016
#VeteransForKaepernick Because we're actually not all self-centered racists. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/VHnW5Pbxav
— Ed Beck (@DEdwardBeck) August 31, 2016
Black soldiers fought for a country that didn't even acknowledge their civil rights. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/d8hTFvL9X8
— SheTweetsTruth (@MsElectLadyKim) August 31, 2016
Salute to you @Kaepernick7 you the real hero #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/o6MqPtz4dz
— Esquire (@Marc_withdaC) August 31, 2016
The tweets keep coming. Kaepernick will start the 49ers final preseason game Thursday night, but it's unclear whether he or Blaine Gabbert will start in the team's regular-season opener, set for Monday Night Football on September 12.
