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Watch: Colin Kaepernick Joined This Oakland High School Football Team's Silent Protest

He gave an inspiring speech in the locker room, and then kneeled on the field.

Colin Kaepernick is not restricting his protest to the NFL field.
The 49ers quarterback, who recently made national news for starting a movement to protest the national anthem in the wake of mounting instances of police brutality and systemic racism against Black people, joined a high school football team in their own protest on Friday night in Oakland, California.

While Kaepernick's actions have received both praise and criticism, it is clear that he is committed to his stance, and wants to support all those who have decided join him.

Kaepnernick visited with players from Castlemont High School and spoke with the team before the game, saying, "You are important, you make a difference, this matters. Everything you do matters." Adding, "I had to come support you all, because the same way you all took a stand and stood with me, I had to come out here and stand with you all." Kaepernick also told the players, "I appreciate what you all did. I love you all. You all are my brothers, I'm here with you."

Castlemont's football teams gained local attention earlier in their season when they kneeled and raised their firsts during the national anthem.

As expected, the reactions to the photographs and videos, and to the students' protest has been filled with both passionate support, and rabid anger.

While Kaepernick's actions were initially criticized as possibly being self-serving, it is actions like this that prove that he is truly committed to raising awareness about the inequality that Black men and women face in America.

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