Donald Trump played to his racist base of deplorables by attacking Colin Kaepernick for kneeling in protest during the national anthem at football games. Trump tried to make it seem like Kaepernick was disrespecting the flag and our country by kneeling. That was not true. He was just exercising his right as an American to speak freely and demonstrate for justice -- particularly for his fellow Black citizens who are not being treated fairly by the police.
Most decent Americans understood Kaepernick's protest, and agreed with it. Now he has been recognized by one of the most important human rights groups for his courage -- Amnesty International. They have given him their prestigious Ambassador of Conscience award. Previous winners of that award are Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafzai.
In presenting the award, Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty said:
"The Ambassador of Conscience award celebrates the spirit of activism and exceptional courage, as embodied by Colin Kaepernick. He is an athlete who is now widely recognised for his activism because of his refusal to ignore or accept racial discrimination."
“Just like the Ambassadors of Conscience before him, Colin Kaepernick chooses to speak out and inspire others despite the professional and personal risks. When high profile people choose to take a stand for human rights, it emboldens many others in their struggles against injustice. Colin Kaepernick’s commitment is all the more remarkable because of the alarming levels of vitriol it has attracted from those in power."
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