A Black pastors organization has condemned former NFL star Colin Kaepernick and his “hard Left anti-American politics” and demand Nike to drop him from their roster of endorsees.
The Coalition of African American Pastors (CAAP) conveyed they were “dismayed” that the shoe and apparel manufacturing giant would recall the specially designed 4th of July sneakers that were adorned with the “Besty Ross” flag because Kaepernick objected. Kaepernick and most Blacks oppose that flag because it was made during slavery and has been adopted by White supremacist groups today.
But the CAAP vehemently disagrees with Nike’s decision to remove the special shoes from the shelves and has penned a petition to persuade Nike to sever all ties to Kaepernick.
“I hope you will understand how dismayed we were to learn that your company decided to ‘pull’ a specially-designed shoe that celebrated America’s independence and the Betsy Ross flag,” reads the petition written by CAAP president William Owens that was first seen by Brietbart.com. “It has been reported that you made this decision based on objections from Colin Kaepernick.”
Rev. William Owens also articulated his antagonism towards Kaepernick on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/caapusa/status/1149729354189946881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1149729354189946881&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Feurweb.com%2F2019%2F07%2F15%2Fblack-pastors-slam-colin-kaepernicks-hard-left-politics-demands-nike-kick-him-to-the-curb%2F
As rolling out reported, Keapernick began sitting and then kneeling during the play of the national anthem in September 2016 as a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. Kaep said this was his way to protest police brutality, racial injustice and mass incarceration of people of color in America. Kaep was maligned and vilified nationwide for his stance.
The NFL eventually settled out of court with Kaepernick and Eric Reed in February 2019 for millions after they sued the league for allegedly colluding to keep them out of the sport.
This is just the latest public stance by Kaepernick that has angered this Black pastors organization. The objection to the Besty Ross flag was apparently the final straw.
“It has been clear for a long time that Colin Kaepernick’s views represent hard-Left anti-American politics,” said Owens. “They don’t represent most Americans, and they don’t reflect the outlook of most African Americans,” he added. “By caving to Mr. Kaepernick’s negative opinions of America, the Founding Fathers, and the woman who designed the first flag, Nike has aligned itself with a radical anti-American viewpoint.”
Owens also boldly challenged Nike’s sense of patriotism to America.
https://twitter.com/caapusa/status/1149481044061458433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1149481044061458433&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Feurweb.com%2F2019%2F07%2F15%2Fblack-pastors-slam-colin-kaepernicks-hard-left-politics-demands-nike-kick-him-to-the-curb%2F
CAAP addressed the petition to Mark Parker, the president and CEO of Nike, at the headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.
“Many find Mr. Kaepernick’s positions to be ill-informed and offensive, especially to veterans and others who have served this country,” Owens explained. “How can we support a company that caters to this kind of thinking?”
