Civil rights activist and former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick made an appearance Thursday at “Unthanksgiving Day” on Alcatraz Island.
Also known as the Indigenous People’s Sunrise Gathering, “Unthanksgiving Day” honors the indigenous people of the Americas and promotes their rights. The event has been held annually since 1975 and commemorates a protest held in 1969 when the Alcatraz Red Power movement occupied the land.
Today, I was on Alcatraz Island at the Indigenous People’s Sunrise Gathering, in solidarity with those celebrating their culture and paying respects to those that participated in the 19 month occupation of Alcatraz in an effort to force 🇺🇸 to honor the Treaty of Fort Laramie. pic.twitter.com/KdNtY3dp72
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) November 24, 2017
Kaepernick said in an Instagram post that he attended the event to show solidarity with the tribes and nations visiting the space to honor their ancestors, celebrate their culture, and pay respect to those who participated in the 19-month occupation of Alcatraz Island.
“Every year we participate in a tradition that is rooted in tragedy,” he wrote. “Try as we must to make Thanksgiving about food, family, fun, and forming fond memories, it doesn’t erase the fact that the Natives of this land were (and continue to be) the original victims of American systemic oppression.”
Kaepernick received sacred eagle feathers at the sunrise ceremony, and he expressed gratitude and solidarity in a speech.
“I realize that our fight is the same fight. We’re all fighting for our justice, for our freedom, and realizing that we’re in this fight together makes it all the more powerful,” Kaepernick said.
He said the movement of resistance is gaining momentum.
“If there’s one thing that I take away from today and seeing the beauty of everybody out here, it’s that we’re only getting stronger every day, we’re only getting larger and larger every day,” Kaepernick said. “I see the strength in everybody. The dancing, the rituals—that is our resistance. We continue to fight. We continue to fight for justice. We fight for our freedom, and we continue on that path.”
Many conservatives on Twitter responded to Kaepernick’s participation in Unthanksgiving Day with anger and contempt, saying this proves Kaepernick has no respect for American values.
He’s a traitor against his own country and people. Seriously 😒 like wow dude that girl really messed your head up but good. You have no job and have single handedly ruined a sport https://t.co/ixPXavTzo1
— Kaya Jones (@KayaJones) November 24, 2017
“we’re all fighting the same fight, the fight for our justice and for our freedom” ??🤔 Says the Millionaire ex football player.
— 🇺🇸Jim🇺🇸Dillon🇺🇸 (@AmTactical556) November 24, 2017
What is he not “Freed from” aside from his STUPIDITY! #UnThanksgivingDay pic.twitter.com/U5Ly1FthGe
Kaepernick participated in ‘Unthanksgiving Day.’ His supporters wonder why he’s disliked or why people keep talking about him. Ungrateful “Citizen of the Year.” https://t.co/a3MGfCYuNO
— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) November 24, 2017
While Kaepernick’s attendance of the event was criticized by some, supporters of the activist applauded his behavior both in person and on Twitter. Some of his supporters said this event proves he’s destined for a life in politics.
https://twitter.com/aurabogado/status/933761620060209153
You rock man. You were meant for more than football.
— Corey Winfield (@CoreyWinfield) November 24, 2017
“I realise that our fight, is the same fight we’re all fighting for our freedom, fighting for our justice. Realising were in the fight together makes us more powerful” @Kaepernick7 ThankYou #Respect #NativeLivesMatter #NativeHistoryMatters✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻✌🏻✌🏼✌🏽✌🏾✌🏿 pic.twitter.com/d2169IzC0D
— NZ HipHop, Gangs, MMA and Nwords (@NzNwordStory) November 24, 2017
You were made for better things Sir. You are becoming the leader of a movement whether you know it or not.
— debdlund (@DebdLun) November 24, 2017
In January, Kaepernick donated $50,000 to the University of California in San Francisco for the Mni Wiconi Health Clinic partnership at Standing Rock.
