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BLACK LIVES MATTER

Why are sports stars taking a knee in America?

NFL star Colin Kaepernick took a brave stand against police brutality against African Americans in the USA

DONALD TRUMP wants every American footballer who kneels in protest against widespread police brutality against black people to be sacked.

The President of the United States said: "wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, 'Get that son of a bitch off the field right now... he is fired'."

Baltimore Ravens players, including former player Ray Lewis, second from right, kneel down during the playing of the U.S. national anthem
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Baltimore Ravens players, including former player Ray Lewis, s/r, kneel during the US national anthemCredit: AP:Associated Press
 MORE than 20 players kneeled down during before Baltimore Ravens vs Jacksonville Jaguars
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 MORE than 20 players kneeled down during before Baltimore Ravens vs Jacksonville JaguarsCredit: PA:Press Association

How did it start?

With a startling number of police brutality incidents on African American men being highlighted on social media, Colin Kaepernick took a stand.

During a pre-season game for the San Francisco 49ers - before the 2016 campaign - the NFL star dropped to one knee during the national anthem.

Dozens of sportspeople have followed suit but Kaepernick left the 49ers after last season and is still a free agent with some claiming his protests and political views have put teams off signing him.

Who has been doing it?

More than 20 players kneeled during the song before this Sunday's NFL clash at Wembley between the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars.

 The poignant stance is in protest against police violence against black people and has been adopted by the Black Lives Matter movement
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The poignant stance is in protest against police violence against black people and has been adopted by the Black Lives Matter movementCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Colin Kaepernick vows to continue his protest until the USA changes
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Colin Kaepernick vows to continue his protest until the USA changesCredit: Reuters
 Colin Kaepernick took a stand against police brutality on black Americans
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Colin Kaepernick took a stand against police brutality on black AmericansCredit: Reuters

Seahawks stars Michael Bennett and Jeremy Lane have sat in protest. Miami Dolphins men Four Dolphins players - Arian Foster, Michael Thomas, Kenny Stills and Jelani Jenkins have also refused to stand.

New England Patriots players, Martellus Bennett and Devin McCourty have raised their fists after the national anthem

What is it in protest at?

The poignant stance is in protest against police violence against black people and has been adopted by the Black Lives Matter movement.

 Colin Kaepernick has lost his career since the stance
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Colin Kaepernick has lost his career since the stanceCredit: Reuters

Kaepernick revealed: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour.

To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Kaepernick vowed to continue his protest until he feels “[the American flag] represents what it’s supposed to represent.”

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