In a statement released on October 15, Colin Kaepernick’s lawyers wrote: “We can confirm that this morning we filed a grievance under the CBA on behalf of Colin Kaepernick.
“This was done only after pursuing every possible avenue with all NFL teams and their executives.
“If the NFL (as well as all professional sports leagues) is to remain a meritocracy, then principled and peaceful political protest – which the owners themselves made great theatre imitating weeks ago – should not be punished and athletes should not be denied employment.
“Such a precedent threatens all patriotic Americans and harkens back to our darkest days as a nation. Protecting all athletes from such collusive conduct is what compelled Mr. Kaepernick to file his grievance.
“Colin Kaepernick’s goal has always been, and remains, to simply be treated fairly by the league he performed at the highest level for and to return to the football playing field.”
Some players from the 49ers again knelt during the anthem before their match on October 15.
They were playing for the first time since VP Mike Pence walked out of their game in Indianapolis, after several members of the team did not stand.
Santa Clara police officers have threatened to boycott the home games of the San Francisco 49ers if the organization fails to take action to halt protests by its quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Colin Kaepernick, 28, has refused to stand for the national anthem in a protest against the plight of black people in the US.
A letter from Santa Clara police says Colin Kaepernick’s actions and statements are “false and insulting”.
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It accused the 49ers of failing to take any action to stop them.
Colin Kaepernick’s protest has stemmed from the racial tensions that increased across the nation this year amid a string of police killings and subsequent revenge attacks.
The quarterback stayed seated during The Star-Spangled Banner at a game a week ago and on Thursday chose to kneel during the anthem.
Colin Kaepernick has said he will continue until he sees improvements in US race relations.
The Santa Clara Police Officers’ Association letter, obtained by NBC Bay Area, said that Colin Kaepernick had “made the allegation that police officers are getting paid to murder people”.
It accused the 49ers of “allowing Kaepernick to wear exposed socks with the image of a pig wearing a police hat”.
The letter said: “The 49ers organization has taken no action to stop or prevent Mr Kaepernick from continuing to make inaccurate, incorrect and inflammatory statements.
“If the 49ers organization fails to take action 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.”
About 70 Santa Clara officers patrol Levi’s Stadium during the home games.
On September 1, Colin Kaepernick vowed to continue his protest, saying: “The message is that we have a lot of issues in this country that we need to deal with.”
Teammate Eric Reid joined him in the latest protest.
Seattle Seahawks player Jeremy Lane also sat on the bench during the anthem at a game in Oakland.
Jeremy Lane later told the News Tribune: “I wasn’t trying to say anything, just standing behind Kaepernick.”
Colin Kaepernick’s anthem protest has drawn strong reactions both in opposition and support.
An online petition demanding the NFL punish Colin Kaepernick attracted more than 53,000 signatures by September 2.
However, some veterans and military members tweeted their support for Colin Kaepernick with the hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick.
The NFL says it encourages players to stand for the anthem but that it is not a requirement.
Donald Trump said San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick should “find a country that works better for him” after the NFL player’s national anthem protest.
Colin Kaepernick, 28, said he will continue to sit out the national anthem until he sees improvements in US race relations.
The Republican presidential nominee weighed in on Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit during The Star-Spangled Banner in a pre-game ceremony.
Donald Trump called the quarterback’s controversial stand a “terrible thing.”
“I think it’s a terrible thing, and you know, maybe he should find a country that works better for him,” he told KIRO radio in Seattle.
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“Let him try. It won’t happen.”
Colin Kaepernick stirred controversy on August 26 when he sat during the national anthem before the 49ers played the Green Bay Packers in an exhibition game.
He refused to stand in protest at the oppression of people of color in the US.
Racial tensions are mounting in the US, where a string of recent police killings and subsequent revenge killings have sparked protests across the nation.
Colin Kaepernick’s actions have ignited a debate about respect, patriotism and the right of free speech.
The White House said it disagreed with Colin Kaepernick’s protest but that he had a right to express his views.
An NFL spokesman said players were “encouraged but not required” to stand during the anthem.
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