Several New York City’s council members of today – including Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood), Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook), Inez Barron (D-East New York) and Andy King (D-Bronx) – took a knee on the steps of City Hall, in a display of solidarity with the NFL players who chose to do so during the National Anthem on Sunday.
In 2016, former San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick made headlines for refusing to stand for the National Anthem, as a way to protest racial inequality in America. The issue was reignited last week when President Donald Trump posted multiple tweets condemning the NFL players who would take part in such an act of protest, and even calling for them to be fired for doing so.
Trump’s vitriolic comments elicited an outpouring of support for the NFL protestors, from people who claimed that Trump’s tweets betrayed a poor understanding of the issues surrounding the movement.
During his speech, Williams argued against the notion that the act of kneeling during the anthem was unpatriotic.
“This was not about patriotism,” said Williams. “This was about pushing back against a system of supremacy, a system of oppressive policies that have been around in the country for a very long time.”
Williams also pointed out the support he’s received from U.S. war veterans since he took up this cause, dispelling Trump’s claim that the protests are disrespectful to the American military.
“We had a press conference last time with veterans,” said Williams, “one of whom received an award, who had a bullet in his knee. He said that every time he hears someone say that [the protestors are unpatriotic], he thinks about the bullet in his knee, and that he took it to fight for people to do that.”
Williams and his peers went on to elaborate on the racial issues that the movement will serve to call attention to, such as school segregation, discriminatory housing laws, and especially police brutality.
“It is important to call attention to the fight for police reform, which is what Colin Kaepernick was kneeling for in the first place,” said City Councilmember Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Kensington, Windsor Terrace) . “The cry for accountability [in New York] is ongoing; yesterday, the trial for Officer James Frascatore, who assaulted James Blake with no provocation and no cause… wrapped up with a slap on the wrist of ten lost vacation days.”
On the subject of racial injustice, several of the speakers also pointed out the lack of government aid provided for hurricane victims in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Trump’s outward disregard for the American citizens living in those territories.
“[Trump] needs to focus on where we need to put resources,” said Williams. “Right now, there is a calamity with Americans that he is ignoring.”
Menchaca echoed Williams’ sentiments, pointed out that Puerto Ricans constitute a large part of his district.
“I’m lifting everyone who continues to be sidelined by this administration,” said Menchaca. “I kneel because I represent a very diverse constituency that includes Puerto Ricans. And Puerto Ricans are Americans.”Above all, the speakers who knelt at City Hall that day wanted to get across the message that peaceful protest is in no way unpatriotic – quite the opposite, in fact. Nonviolent protest, they said, is a cornerstone of American patriotism, and always has been.
“Protest is as American as apple pie,” said King. “For anybody to denounce protestors, especially nonviolent protestors, is anti-American.”
