Colin Kaepernick's Visit to Rikers Island Draws Rebuke From Guards' Union
A visit by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to New York's Rikers Island jail facility Tuesday has drawn a rebuke from the union representing city correction officers.
The head of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association told the Daily News that Kaepernick's presence at Rikers on Tuesday will encourage inmates to attack jail guards. Union leaders noted that Kaepernick has worn socks depicting police as little cartoon pigs.
Department of Correction spokesman Peter Thorne says the purpose of Kaepernick's visit was to ''share a message of hope and inspiration.''
ESPN reported Kaepernick held two 45-minute sessions with small groups of inmates, speaking about social justice issues and his decision to kneel.
Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem last season to protest racial inequality and police brutality, leading to protests by other NFL players and repeated criticism from President Donald Trump. The protests grew this season after President Donald Trump criticized NFL players who chose to follow suit. Trump said owners should "fire" NFL players who protest the anthem and referred to them as "son[s] of b------". Players responded by protesting en masse.
Kaepernick remains a free agent.
