Do We Have The Right Not to Stand? Sitting out the National Anthem and How we got here

NPR Story Colin Kaepernick http://www.npr.org/2016/09/21/494749929/player-protests-when-athletes-stand-up-or-kneel-for-social-justice-issues

Where it Began Athletics have long been tied with Patriotism. The idea of athletes leading protests by refraining from the traditional stance during the national anthem started long before Colin Kaepernick.

1968 Mexico City Olympics Sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos bow their heads and raise a black-gloved fist during the national anthem, giving the black power salute. Read More at: http://time.com/3880999/black-power-salute-tommie-smith-and-john-carlos-at-the-1968-olympics/

1967 Muhammad Ali is Arrested for refusing the draft. In 1967 Ali refused to join the army after he is drafted, citing religious reasons. He is stripped of his heavyweight title and sentenced to 5 years in prison for Draft evasion. Read more at :http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/muhammad-ali-refuses-army-induction

Jackie Robinson’s Autobiography In 1972, Jackie Robinson releases his Autobiography in which he writes, “As I write this twenty years later, I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag; I know that I am a black man in a white world.” Find out More Here: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/08/jackie-robinson-colin-kaepernick-autobiography-i-cannot-stand-and-sing-the-anthem

Rio 2016 Olympics At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Gabby Douglas did not put her hand over her Heart during the national Anthem after the US Women’s Gymnastics Team Won Gold. Read More Here: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/rio-2016-gabby-douglas-national-anthem-twitter-gymnastics-hand-on-heart-criticism-a7182451.html

And Then, the NFL Does this...

NFL threatens fines for Players Wearing 9/11 cleats To commemorate the 15 year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, two NFL players, Mohamad Sanu and Avery Williams, decided to wear special cleats that pictured the twin towers. The NFL said that players would be fined for violating NFL dress code. No Fines have been issued as of yet. You Can Read More Here: http://wgntv.com/2016/09/11/several-nfl-players-wear-911-tributes-despite-threats-of-fines/

Kaepernick’s Protest has Set off similar demonstrations at sporting events of all levels - professional, collegiate, and high school

Could Kaepernick’s Actions be considered a type of Civil Disobedience Protest Practiced by Gandhi and MLK?

What About Freedom of Speech/Expression?

The First Amendment What it Protects: The first amendment protects freedom of speech and the right to peaceably Protest. It Does not protect: Hate speech, slander/libel, threats, obscenities, planning crimes….and much more