Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick has established an initiative to provide legal defense for “freedom fighters” in Minneapolis who were arrested amid riots and protests.
“In fighting for liberation there‘s always retaliation. We must protect our Freedom Fighters,” he tweeted last week.
He added, “We started a legal defense initiative to give legal representation to Freedom Fighters in Minneapolis paid for by @yourrightscamp.”
In fighting for liberation there‘s always retaliation. We must protect our Freedom Fighters. We started a legal defense initiative to give legal representation to Freedom Fighters in Minneapolis paid for by @yourrightscamp
For representation or to donate https://t.co/q0pzAObCiG
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) May 29, 2020
Kaepernick, a longtime Black Lives Matter advocate, has been vocal in supporting the protests over the death of George Floyd.
He tweeted last week, “When civility leads to death, revolting is the only logical reaction. The cries for peace will rain down, and when they do, they will land on deaf ears, because your violence has brought this resistance.”
Floyd died last week when now-fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin held his knee to Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes as he pleaded to breathe. Chauvin has since been fired from the department and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Three other officers involved in the arrest have been fired but not charged.
Floyd’s family has called for an end to the riots that have spread to nearly every major city protesting police brutality.
“Don’t tear up your town. All of this is not necessary because if his own family and blood is not doing it, then why are you?” Terrence Floyd, Floyd’s younger brother, said. “If his own family and blood are trying to deal with it and be positive about it and go another route to seek justice, then why are you out here tearing up your community? Because when you’re finished and turn around and want to go buy something, you done tore it up. So now, you messed up your own living arrangements. So, just relax. Justice will be served.”
