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Why are people taking the knee? The history behind the powerful symbolic gesture

Demonstrators kneel in protest against the death of George Floyd in Washington: REUTERS
Demonstrators kneel in protest against the death of George Floyd in Washington: REUTERS

Taking the knee has been the peaceful protest symbol adopted by millions demonstrating over the death of George Floyd.

Crowds of campaigners have kneeled across the UK, mirroring US activists demonstrating in the name of Black Lives Matter, while last night's return of the Premier League began with players and referees kneeling.

The gesture has proven immensely powerful in carrying messages of anger about racial violence. But it has also been polarising, taken by some as "unpatriotic" or an affront to American troops.

To understand its charged meaning, one needs to look at the 2016 US national anthem protests.

Protesters kneel before California Highway Patrol officers (AP)
Protesters kneel before California Highway Patrol officers (AP)

The US national anthem protests

“Taking the knee” was iconised by American athletes in 2016, who knelt at games during the US national anthem in a protest against police brutality and racism.

In August 2016, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick initiated the protest by sitting on the bench - rather than standing as per tradition - during the anthem performance of a preseason game.

"I am not going to get up to show pride in a country that oppresses black people and people of colour,” the athlete said.

(REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage)
(REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage)

Mr Kaepernick later took the knee instead of the bench, intending to show more respect for military veterans. This stance would prove to be far more iconic.

The incident triggered backlash from critics who dubbed the action “unpatriotic” and “disrespectful”, or resented the alleged politicisation of sporting events.

Nike - which hired the quarterback as the face of its 30th campaign - faced boycott from angry consumers, while NFL announced it would fine teams if their players participated in the protest.

But a wave of players mirrored Kaepernick’s kneel, solidifying the stance's staple significance as a peaceful objection to oppression.

"We chose to kneel because it's a respectful gesture,” said Kaepernick’s teammate Eric Reid. “I remember thinking our posture was like a flag flown at half-mast to mark a tragedy.”

(REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage)
(REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage)

In 2017, President Donald Trump weighed in on the issue, calling for players taking the knee to be fired.

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a b**** off the field right now, out, he’s fired. He’s fired,’” said Mr Trump during a campaign rally in Alabama.

In response, some football teams refused to enter the field completely. This speech - in the eyes of many - morphed the gesture into an act of direct resistance against Mr Trump’s presidency.

Mr Trump labelled the protest as a statement against the American flag and US servicemen and women, disassociating it from racial oppression.

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(Getty Images)

In 2019, NFL owners unanimously approved a policy requiring all players and employers of a team to stand if they are on the field during the anthem. Those who object can remain in the locker room, else the team will incur a fine.

Was it unique to "politicise" sport in this way?

Mr Kaepernick stands in a line of Black athletes who have used their platform to highlight injustices facing people of colour in the US.

During the 1968 Olympics, African-American runners Tommie Smith and John Carlos were stripped of their medals after raising their fists in a Black Power salute during the awards ceremony.

A year before that, boxer Muhammed Ali was forced to surrender his heavyweight title for conscientiously objecting to the Vietnam War.

What happened to Kaepernick?

After the season, Kaepernick became a free agent but went unsigned, later taking legal action against the the NFL for allegedly colluding to keep him out of the league. A confidential settlement was reached in February 2019.

While Kaepernick remains absent from the NFL player’s list, many supporters argue he remains one of the best quarterbacks alive.

He announced last year he was ready to play on any team willing to hire him.

In the meantime, he has set up a Legal Defense Initiative to cover legal bills for the "freedom fighters" on the ground in Minnesota, protesting in the name of George Floyd.