Four NFL players sent league officials a memo in August requesting the league support a month dedicated to social justice activism, much like the league has months dedicated to breast cancer awareness and the military. Specifically, the players point to the need for criminal justice reform.
UPDATE: Now that Trump has used an Alabama rally and
Twitter to attack NFL players, urging NFL owners to "fire" players and get the "son of a bitch" players off the field immediately if they don't stand for the National Anthem, the NFL has defended their players' rights to peaceful protests.
The overwhelming NFL blowback to Trump's outrageous attack on players' First Amendment rights makes this request for a real and lasting commitment to their cause of criminal justice reform critical and urgent. Please sign this petition if you would like to see the NFL dedicate a month to social activism for racial equality and criminal justice reform!
The NFL is hugely influential in the United States. Dedicating a month to civic engagement efforts would spotlight important legislative and social justice issues to people who may currently be unaware of the issues. It may help them to feel empowered to get involved.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and wide receiver Torrey Smith, and former Arizona Cardinals wideout Anquan Boldin co-authored a detailed memo requesting the NFL have November serve as "a month of Unity for individual teams to engage and impact the community in their market."
Specifically, the players wrote:
"To counter the vast amount of press attention being referred to as the “national anthem protests” versus the large amount of grass roots work that many players around the league have invested their time and resources, we would like to request a league wide initiative that would include a month dedicated to a campaign initiative and related events."Among other requests, the four players invited interested NFL owners and coaches to participate in a Listen & Learn tour, which would include
a prison tour, meetings with grassroots organizations, policy makers and nonprofit leaders, police, families in the community and formerly incarcerated individuals. You can read the full letter
here.
Please sign this petition if you would like to see the NFL dedicate a month to activism in support of criminal justice reform!