Act Now: NFL Bows to Trump & Effectively Bans Police Violence Protests
On Wednesday, May 23rd, NFL owners passed a new league rule that would fine teams whose players kneel or show “disrespect”—which is undefined in the rule—during the national anthem. Team officials admit the NFL is "terrified of Trump" who has long criticized players for their protests and said recently they “maybe shouldn't be in the country.” While the rule gives players the option to remain in the locker room during the anthem, it is a clear attempt to silence the majority-black players of the league (more than 70% of the NFL is comprised of black men) who are protesting deep rooted concerns of police brutality and racial profiling.
Christopher Johnson, the acting owner of the New York Jets, responded to the new rule by standing with his team and saying that he is alright with bearing the fines resulting from any Jets player who chooses to kneel or otherwise shows “disrespect” during the anthem. Kudos to him for providing a response that affirms the humanity of his employees and their cause. He seems to realize that he does not get to profit from the labor of black bodies without fully supporting his employees as Americans with unalienable rights.
Now, it's time for other owners to get on board.
The Center for American Progress Action Fund is launching a campaign demanding that owners of NFL teams:
- Stand with Jets owner Christopher Johnson by encouraging their players' rights to protest, regardless of whatever fine the team may incur
- Call on the Commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell, to repeal the new national anthem policy