Friday, March 29, 2024

NFL players continue protest in defiance of Trump

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Isaac Kaledzi
Isaac Kaledzihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Kaledzi
Isaac Kaledzi is an experienced and award winning journalist from Ghana. He has worked for several media brands both in Ghana and on the International scene. Isaac Kaledzi is currently serving as an African Correspondent for DW.

NFL players continued their anthem protests in defiance of US President Donald Trump in Sunday’s matches.

About half of the San Francisco 49ers knelt for the anthem before their match at Arizona with their team-mates standing just behind with a hand on their colleagues’ shoulders.

The Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton celebrated his touchdown against New England Patriots with a raised fist.

However, there were markedly fewer protests than last weekend.

Several games – such as the Dallas Cowboys’ home game with the Los Angeles Rams – appeared to go ahead without any protest.

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In the day’s first game at Wembley, three Miami Dolphins – Julius Thomas, Michael Thomas and Kenny Stills – kneeled during the American anthem with the opposing New Orleans Saints squad opting to do so beforehand, but then standing while the anthem was played.

President Trump tweeted on Saturday, reiterating his disapproval of the protests. He has previously called for NFL owners to dismiss players who take part

A handful of Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions players kneeled as the anthem played before their games against the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings respectively.

The Baltimore Ravens were jeered by some of their own fans after taking to one knee for “a moment of unity” before the anthem in their match against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The protests began last year with Colin Kaepernick – then of the 49ers – highlighting the treatment of black Americans after a series of high-profile police shootings.

And Kaepernick’s former team – playing for the first time since Trump’s initial condemnation of the protest – made the most co-ordinated gesture.

“For more than a year, members of our team have protested the oppression and social injustices still present in our society,” read a statement from the 49ers’ players, coaches, ownership and staff.

“While some may not have taken a knee or raised a fist, we have all shared the desire to influence positive change. Today, our team chose to publicly display our unity in a new way.”

The statement added: “We use our platform as members of an NFL team, and our right to freedom of expression, to speak up for those whose voice is not heard.”

 

 

BBC

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