SUN. 12PM: Californians #TakeAKnee and Take a Stand at StubHub Center in Support of NFL Players Protesting Police Violence
Courage Campaign, CREDO, and Democracy for America Will Join with Black Lives Matter LA & Long Beach, LA VOICE, PICO, White People for Black Lives, and Justice Warriors for Black Lives to Show Support for #TakeAKnee Protests Outside of L.A. Chargers Vs. Philadelphia Eagles Game
Carson, CA — On Sunday, October 1st, local members of the California-based Courage Campaign, CREDO, and Democracy for America will demonstrate in solidarity with the players who #TakeAKnee before kickoff and during the National Anthem of the Los Angeles Chargers vs. Philadelphia Eagles game. Activists with Black Lives Matter Los Angeles & Long Beach, Black Lives Matter Long Beach, LA Voice, PICO, Justice Warriors for Black Lives, and White People 4 Black Lives will also participate in the action,to re-center the protest on ending police violence against people.
Activists will be holding signs at the #TakeAKnee protest, reading, “STOP KILLING US” and “BLACK LIVES MATTER.”
WHAT: #TakeAKnee Protest Outside of L.A. Chargers vs. Philly Eagles Game
WHEN: Sunday, October 1, 12:00 PM PT – 5:00 PM PT
WHERE: StubHub Center, 18400 S Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90746
SEE THE POSTERS HERE: https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.couragecampaign.org/images/Screen_Shot_2017-09-29_at_3.46.32_PM.png
https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.couragecampaign.org/images/Screen_Shot_2017-09-29_at_2.40.50_PM.png
“We’re gathering to support brave NFL players like Chris McCain, Malcolm Jenkins, and Eric Reid because we agree that policing and other institutions exact an ugly cost on Black lives and communities every day,” said Eddie Kurtz, Executive Director of Courage Campaign. “All too often, that cost is paid in the blood of people like Ezell Ford and Philando Castille and Oscar Grant and Sandra Bland. And not one of us should feel comfortable in the security of our rights until every American can count on the security of their rights. We kneel today because it is both morally and practically imperative to do so. We’re thankful to the athletes in the NFL for using their platform to speak out, and call on the NFL to unequivocally support their urgent call to action.”
Last year, Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem in protest of police brutality against black lives, sending shockwaves through the nation. In conjunction, Courage Campaign erected a billboard reading, “PATRIOTISM,” accompanied by a photo of Kaepernick on the Bay Bridge.
“We must remember why Colin Kaepernick took a knee,” continued Kurtz. “It was not simply to protest the national anthem, but to protest police violence against Black people. Courage Campaign supports Kaepernick and the work of Black Lives Matter, which is working to bring an end to the days when Black people are killed by police with impunity.”
“The #TakeAKnee protests happening at sports stadiums across the country are a powerful statement against systemic racism and police brutality in America,” CREDO Campaign Manager Nicole Regalado said. “Nothing Donald Trump says or Tweets can change that fact. Today’s protest will highlight the NFL owners’ blatant attempts to silence and punish Colin Kaepernick by refusing to sign him, and show all professional athletes who are taking a knee that we have their backs.”
“Black Lives Matter is appreciative and encouraged by the strong stand that professional athletes are taking against police brutality and White supremacy in their #TakeAKnee protests,” said Dr. Melina Abdullah of Black Lives Matter LA. “Speaking out against police violence should not cost athletes like Kaepernick their careers. However, his willingness to sacrifice his own personal success for the freedom of our people reclaims the tradition of greats like Paul Robeson, Muhammad Ali, John Carlos, Tommy Smith and so many others who walked before him. We stand in solidarity in the names of Ezell Ford, Redel Jones, Keith Bursey, Meagan Hockaday, Wakiesha Wilson, Brother Africa and the thousands of others whose lives have been stolen by police violence.”
#####