Malcolm Jenkins, who plays safety for the
Philadelphia Eagles, told ESPN that he plans to continue his protest during the singing of the national anthem this season.
Jenkins stood and raised a fist over his head as a protest during the anthem before Thursday’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, according the sports site. He had previously said that he didn’t know if he would continue the act of protest he first started last season.
But now, he says, he has decided it's an important part of the movement to change the way minorities are treated by police.
"Last season, I raised my fist as a sign of solidarity to support people, especially people of color, who were and are still unjustly losing their lives at the hands of officers with little to no consequence. After spending time with police officers on ride-alongs, meeting with politicians on the state and federal level and grass roots organizations fighting for human rights, it's clear that our criminal justice system is still crippling communities of color through mass incarceration," Jenkins said in a statement reported by ESPN.
Jenkins protested before all of the 2016 games last season except for the September 11 game, out of respect for those who lost their lives in 2001 on that day, he said. A few of his teammates protested with him, but it remains to be seen whether that will happen again this year, ESPN noted.
“I want to send a message that we will not easily be moved or deterred from fighting for justice,” he continued in the statement. “There are many players across the league who have joined me in working toward new legislation and reestablishing trust and opportunities in our communities, and you can expect to see much more of that.”
Fans on Twitter aren’t thrilled about the act of protest, pointing out how it appears to disrespect the flag and distract from the game if football that players like Jenkins are being paid millions to play.
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