Wisconsin Republicans removed any mention of the former NFL quarterback come social activist from their resolution to honour Black History Month – which is this month. The former NFL player sparked controversy when he instigated a practice known as “taking the knee”, where professional American Football players are encouraged to kneel during the national anthem in protest against police brutality towards people of colour. The State Assembly had originally passed the resolution to include Mr Kaepernick in the Black History month recognition until state Republicans blocked the resolution.
As a result, Democrat lawmakers agreed to remove the name of the former NFL player in a move which Democrat David Crowley said was “a textbook example of white privilege” and a “slap in the face”.
He added: “It is critical for this body to recognise the Black Caucus and recognise the resolution we put forward.
“Many of these people that you don’t agree with will still be in the history books that your children and grandchildren will be reading.”
Mr Crowley did thank the Assembly for having passed the resolution but also concluded that he “had to get the blessing of all of my white counterparts”.
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Following Mr Crowley’s comments, Assembly Majority leader Jim Steineke argued that the former NFL star was left off the list for “obvious reasons”.
At the end of the 2016 season, Kaepernick left the San Francisco 49ers and has since been locked in a legal battle with the league.
He has accused team owners of ostracising him due to his political comments rather than his on-field performance.
His supporters have said that he was merely exercising his First Amendment right to protest what he claimed was racial injustice.
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Others have criticised him for denigrating the armed forces and the American flag.
Last September, Kaepernick starred in a Nike advert which drew criticism from US President Donald Trump.
Trump said: “I think it’s a terrible message that Nike are sending and the purpose of them doing it, maybe there’s a reason for it.
“But I think as far as sending a message, I think it’s a terrible message and a message that shouldn’t be sent.”
Trump had been a staunch critic of Kaepernick the year before and had implored NFL owners to remove any player who acts in the same manner.