Colin Kaepernick Starts Protester Legal Defense Fund, Other Celebrities Fund Bail For Those Arrested

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Former football quarterback turned activist Colin Kaepernick is setting up a legal defense fund to help protesters arrested in Minneapolis’s street confrontations.

In his NFL playing days, Kaepernick started a movement by kneeling before the national anthem to protest injustice and alleged police violence. After becoming a free agent, he remains unsigned by the league and settled a collusion case. He has since been politically active in various venues.

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“In fighting for liberation, there’s always retaliation,” Kaepernick tweeted. “We must protect our Freedom Fighters. We started a legal defense initiative to give legal representation to Freedom Fighters in Minneapolis paid for by @yourrightscamp”

Kaepernick’s fund will aid those who cant afford to hire legal representation, presumably offering an alternative to the Public Defender’s office. All fees will be paid for by the Know Your Rights Camp, which Kaepernick created.

“When civility leads to death, revolting is the only logical reaction,” Kaepernick wrote on Thursday via Twitter. “The cries for peace will rain down, and when they do, they will land on deaf ears, because your violence has brought this resistance. We have the right to fight back! Rest in Power George Floyd.”

Kaepernick’s efforts drew attention from directors Josh and Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems), who retweeted his note.

Other celebrities took note. Since Thursday, Seth Rogen, Ben Schwartz, Steve Carell , Chrissy Teigen and Harry Styles have all tweeted that they matched donations to help protesters make bail.

Others who have donated bail funds or indicated support include actor and singer Janelle Monáe, television presenter and activist Jameela Jamil, actor Patton Oswalt, and actor and former New York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon.

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