Military service members show support with #VeteransForKaepernick

After five days of scorching hot takes, talking heads turning red in the face and too many hurt feelings to count about San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick remaining seated during the national anthem, one group finally felt the need to speak up.

Some military service members — men and women, active and retired — became fed up with being used as an excuse to bash the quarterback’s First Amendment rights. Essentially, they demanded that those folks keep their names and their experiences out of their mouths.

On Tuesday night, people from all different walks of life around the globe created the hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick. Hundreds of thousands of people used it as an opportunity to voice their opinion on the matter and show their support for the signal caller and his right to peacefully protest the injustices still facing African-Americans and people of color at the hands of the police and the criminal justice system.

I serve for his right to protest.. I don't serve for Police Brutality.. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/Q6GUNTwHDO

— Jigga Jeaux (@JoeOnDemand) August 31, 2016

#VeteransForKaepernick because I didn't volunteer to defend a country where police brutality is swept under the rug. pic.twitter.com/LtBkTvHHAn

— Baltic Avenue (@Baltic_Avenue) August 31, 2016

Don't use my service–or that of any veteran–to justify the silencing of black Americans. Not on my watch. #VeteransForKaepernick

— Charlotte Clymer🏳️‍🌈 (@cmclymer) August 31, 2016

https://twitter.com/DEdwardBeck/status/770814223794446337

This comment is goat #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/24nK85axIS

— “cardi b is tupac” (@neyneyz0ne6) August 31, 2016

@Kaepernick7 I served 25yrs in the AF to protect everyone's 1st Amend rights. I support you #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/Q7r7PfvryA

— Nicki Jai (@dcmbrdiva) August 31, 2016

My father, a Marine, served his country in Vietnam. He says "we're far from justice for all" #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/8jXspHSOE6

— B l a k e J Stanfill (@ShimmiHendrix) August 31, 2016

I serve to protect your freedoms, not a song #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/HcCkMsVMOh

— Marco (@BasedMarcoM) August 31, 2016

Folks sleep if they think Kap's movement ain't about to shake the nation… pic.twitter.com/4L2ZToylSV

— J.A.H. (@CookTheGreat) August 30, 2016

Crazy the media is trying to tell how VETERANS feel about the Kap situation. I support him. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/IP2orede7k

— Eli'jah (@elijahXL) August 31, 2016

Sums it up perfectly I think. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/0eV2hcWdFf

— Ata Dizdar (@ata_dizdar) August 31, 2016

#VeteransForKaepernick Although my grandfather served two tours in Vietnam, he couldn't even rent a home near his base b/c he was black.

— Blorenzo (@blorenzo) August 30, 2016

https://twitter.com/I_Zac33/status/770806526202224640

 

https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/770658436153499648

https://twitter.com/colemanachase/status/770810251234930693?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

I was brave enough to defend the rights of EVERYONE… Even those who dislike people like me. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/NwHn9PD8ps

— Brandy (@S4Diva1978) August 31, 2016

I was black before I joined and I'll be black when I finish serving my time. #VeteransForKaepernick @Kaepernick7 ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/WYmk9ypViN

— Anti-Hero (@CoreyBliss) August 31, 2016

https://twitter.com/RicheyCollazo/status/770769331890167808

Army or not, I will ALWAYS be black. I stand with him . #veteransforKaepernick pic.twitter.com/lJvNPMeLSO

— Khal Johnson (@IrayoEywa) August 30, 2016

Dear America stop speaking for me you don't care about us either we're just your mask for racism and prejudice #VeteransForKaepernick

— KillMonger fan acct (@MrRedMartian) August 30, 2016

Salute to you @Kaepernick7 you the real hero #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/o6MqPtz4dz

— Chef Bae 🅥 (@Marc_withdaC) August 31, 2016

https://twitter.com/roveing/status/770781452472582144

Keep doing your thing. Salute. @Kaepernick7 #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/Ut1TMvBG1W

— dylan (@dyllyp) August 31, 2016

I did two tours in Iraq and dealt with racism my entire military career Kap got all my support #VeteransForKaepernick

— EddieBrock757 (@oldmoney757) August 31, 2016

So now that there are some military members speaking out and showing support for Kaepernick, how will those who oppose Kaepernick’s stance on the ground that it disrespects the military respond?