WASHINGTON (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick obtained a brand new award from the American Civil Liberties Union recognizing contributions to American thought and tradition.
Kaepernick and rock star Bruce Springsteen have been honored Friday night time with the ACLU Ralph Ellison Award for Defenders of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties within the Arts, Enterprise, Science and Sports activities. The dignity comes a decade after Kaepernick knelt throughout the nationwide anthem in protest towards police violence and racial inequality.
“We all know our civil liberties are beneath assault, we all know humanity is beneath assault, training is beneath assault. They’re making an attempt to encroach on our rights, encroach on our dignity, encroach on the long run that we need to construct collectively,” Kaepernick stated in his acceptance speech. “Once we look again at this second, it won’t be the speeches that change the route of historical past. It’s going to be whether or not we determined: Are we going to construct the faculties or not? Are we going to defend the rights of others, or are we going to look at? Are we going to construct group collectively, or are we going to face in isolation?
“The results of those selections are going to be the truth that the long run generations inherit.”
Kaepernick was joined in protest by teammate Eric Reid and others, however he additionally drew criticism from politicians, workforce homeowners and different gamers. Kaepernick and Reid filed collusion grievances towards the NFL in 2017, saying they have been blacklisted. They reached a settlement in 2019.
“He demonstrated in actual time the worth America too usually exacts from those that problem racial injustice,” stated Deborah Archer, the ACLU’s president. “His peaceable protest was met with extraordinary private sacrifice. He misplaced the profession he spent his life constructing. He turned the goal of criticism, hostility and relentless public assault, and but he by no means retreated.”
Springsteen — who closed the occasion with a solo rendition of “Streets of Minneapolis” — and Kaepernick have been honored as a part of an awards ceremony hosted by actress Laverne Cox.
“It’s necessary for us to acknowledge the entire people who find themselves contributing to the battle to guard civil rights and civil liberties,” Archer stated. “These of us — actors, athletes — these of us have all proven up in extremely highly effective methods.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
