Obama praises Colin Kaepernick’s decision not to stand for the the national anthem

 Kyle Nishioka - http://www.flickr.com/photos/madmarv/5098599543, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

President Barack Obama said during the G20 Summit in China that he supports the 49ers quarterback’s right to free speech.

“My understanding, at least, is he is exercising his constitutional right to make a statement, I think there is a long history of sports figures doing so,” said Obama, when asked about professional footballer Colin Kaepernick’s decision not to stand for the national anthem to protest the oppression of black people in the Unites States.

on August 26, 2016, American  professional footballer Kaepernick sat down, as opposed to the tradition of standing, during the playing of the U.S. national anthem. During a post-game interview, he explained his position stating, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. 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 referencing a series of events that led to the "Black Lives Matter."

Kaepernick further said, " movement ...  It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem."