At the launch of the recent Black Lives Matter protests, many cops assigned to monitor the thousands taking to city streets responded violently. Millions of protesters exercised their right to gather together, but not all police departments were welcoming. People were met with tear gas, rubber bullets, batons, and the like, but as the days went on—after much criticism—some officers hoped to quell animosities by kneeling with protesters. While this is a highly criticized move, especially considering its a nod to Colin Kaepernick who was vilified for the peaceful gesture, some cops hoped that it would keep the peace in the streets.
Manhattan New York Police Department Lt. Robert Cattani was photographed kneeling with his fellow officers last week, but it's a move that he now claims to regret. Cattani reportedly sent out an email stating that "the cop in me wants to kick my own ass." He wrote “The conditions prior to the decision to take a knee were very difficult as we were put center stage with the entire crowd chanting. I know I made the wrong decision. We didn’t know how the protesters would have reacted if we didn’t and were attempting to reduce any extra violence.”
Cattani added that he hoped that kneeling would keep protesters from hurting officers. “I was wrong. At least that what I told myself when we made that bad decision. I know that it was wrong and something I will be shamed and humiliated about for the rest of my life.” He added, “We all know that a–hole in Minneapolis was wrong," when speaking about Derek Chauvin, the former officer responsible for the death of George Floyd.
He also said kneeling "goes against every principle and value I stand for."
Democrats Criticized For Kneeling For George Floyd While Wearing African Kente Cloth
Democrats sported Kente stoles while taking an 8-minute, 46-second knee for George Floyd, but not everyone approved of their gesture.
What started out as a gesture of remembrance has turned into quite the controversy. On Monday (June 8), members of the Democratic Party joined together to remember the life and loss of George Floyd amid the multiple memorial services that are taking place nationwide. American citizens continue their peaceful protests against police brutality and socio-economical injustice, and to show their solidarity, Democrats took a silent knee for eight minutes and 46 seconds at the Capitol's Emancipation Hall.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and around two dozen other Democratic members of Congress participated in the event, all wearing African textile Kente cloth stoles. "The significance of the Kente cloth is our African heritage," Rep. Karen Bass, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus said. "And for those of you without that heritage, we're acting in solidarity. That is the significance of the Kente cloth -- our origins and respecting our pasts."
Even so, not everyone received the gesture and look with open arms. People stormed social media to criticize the politicians with accusations of cultural appropriation for wearing a traditional African print for political gain. Check out a few responses below and let us know if you think people are overreacting.
Drew Brees Tells Donald Trump: "We Must Stop Talking About The Flag"
Drew Brees responded to Donald Trump saying he shouldn't have apologized.
After issuing his second apology yesterday (June 4), we can only imagine that Drew Brees was hoping he wouldn't make another headline for a while. The NFL player went viral after he gave an interview saying he didn't agree with Colin Kaepernick's peaceful protest of kneeling during games because it was disrespectful to the National Anthem, the flag, and the military. After being raked through the coals, Drew Brees issued not only one, but two apologies.
Then, Donald Trump popped up to say that he's a fan of Drew Brees, but the New Orleans Saints player shouldn't have apologized for his remarks. Brees quickly penned a response to the President, writing in a lengthy caption to an Instagram post that after discussing the protest with friends and family, he recognizes that it isn't about the flag. "We can no longer use the flag to turn people away or distract them from the real issues that face our black communities," Brees wrote. "We did this back in 2017, and regretfully I brought it back with my comments this week. We must stop talking about the flag and shift our attention to the real issues of systemic racial injustice, economic oppression, police brutality, and judicial & prison reform."
"We as a white community need to listen and learn from the pain and suffering of our black communities," Brees added. "We must acknowledge the problems, identify the solutions, and then put this into action. The black community cannot do it alone. This will require all of us." Read his message in full below.
Drew Brees Offers Up Second Apology In IG Clip: "I Will Do Better"
Drew Brees has returned with a second apology over his statements regarding kneeling protests after his controversial remarks received backlash.
Over the last few days, we’ve watched plenty of people catch the wrath of the public after making controversial remarks. Drew Brees has had a rough time after he made statements about not agreeing with the peaceful protest of kneeling because he claims it’s disrespectful to the flag, the military, the National Anthem while disregarding the reasons why Colin Kaepernick and others kneeled in the first place. Drew Brees was swiftly put in his place by players in the NFL, celebrities, commentators, and fans who couldn’t believe that he would continue this false narrative that has been proven to be untrue. Brees returned with an apology, writing a lengthy statement on Instagram. However, people still weren’t having it. Then, Brees came back once again, this time with a video apology to all.
“I know that there’s not much that I can say that would make things any better right now, but I just want you to see in my eyes how sorry I am for the comments that I made yesterday,” he said in the clip. “I know that it hurt many people, especially friends, teammates, former teammates… people that I care and respect deeply. That was never my intention. I wish I would have laid out what was on my heart in regards to the George Floyd murder, Ahmaud Arbery, the years of social injustice, police brutality, and the need for so much reform and change in regards to legislation to bring equality to our black communities.”
“I am sorry, and I will do better and I will be apart of the solution and I am your ally,” he added. Watch his clip below.
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