NFL Kaepernick anthem protest: Police threaten boycott

Police officers have threatened to boycott the home games of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers if the organisation fails to take action to halt protests by its quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick has refused to stand for the national anthem in a demonstration against the circumstances of black people in the US.

A letter from Santa Clara authorities says Kaepernick’s actions and statements are “untrue and insulting”.

It accused of failing to take any actions to discontinue them the 49ers.

Kaepernick’s demonstration has originated from your racial tensions that rose amid a string of subsequent revenge attacks and police killings this year across the nation.

The player remained seated during The Star-Spangled Banner at a match a week ago and on Thursday selected to kneel during the anthem.

The 28-year-old has said he’ll continue until he sees developments in US race relations.

It accused the 49ers of “permitting Kaepernick to wear exposed socks with the picture of a pig wearing a police hat”.

“The 49ers organisation has taken no actions to halt or prevent Mr Kaepernick from continuing to make wrong, wrong and incendiary statements,” it said.

“If the 49ers organisation does not take actions to stop this type of inappropriate workplace behavior, it could result in officers choosing not to work at your facilities.

“Our members have the right to do their job in an environment free of unjustified and insulting attacks.”

Levi’s Stadium is patrolled by about 70 Santa Clara policemen during the home games.

Kaepernick on Thursday vowed to continue his demonstration, saying: “The message is that we have lots of issues in this state that we must cope with.” He was joined by teammate Eric Reid in the most recent protest.

Seattle Seahawks player Jeremy Lane also sat on the bench during the anthem at a game in Oakland.

He afterwards told the News Tribune: “I was not attempting to say anything, just standing behind Kaepernick.”

The protest of Kaepernick has drawn strong reactions both in support and opposition.

An online petition demanding the NFL penalize Kaepernick brought more than 53,000 signatures by Friday.

But military members and some veterans tweeted their support with the hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick for Kaepernick.

The NFL says it motivates players to stand for the anthem but that it is not a condition.