Former NFL player turned activist Colin Kaepernick says arson, looting, and violence in the wake of George Floyd’s death this week “is the only logical reaction” by angry Minnesotans.
The ex-San Francisco 49ers quarterback who launched national anthem protests in 2016 told his 2.2 million Twitter followers that he approved of violence, which erupted after Mr. Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died after being pinned down by a white cop.
“When civility leads to death, revolting is the only logical reaction,” Mr. Kaepernick wrote. “The cries for peace will rain down, and when they do, they will land on deaf ears, because your violence has brought this resistance. We have the right to fight back! Rest in Power George Floyd.”
The former athlete’s message echoed that of rapper Cardi B, who told roughly 12 million fans that there was “no choice” but for local citizens to loot and burn businesses.
Mr. Kaepernick was hailed for his activism in December by Nike and called an inspiration to “many generations on and off the field.”
The U.S. Department of Justice assured the nation on Thursday that investigating Mr. Floyd’s death is a “top priority.”
When civility leads to death, revolting is the only logical reaction.
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) May 28, 2020
The cries for peace will rain down, and when they do, they will land on deaf ears, because your violence has brought this resistance.
We have the right to fight back!
Rest in Power George Floyd
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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