Group Plans to Boycott NFL on Veterans Day Weekend

Group Plans to Boycott NFL on Veterans Day Weekend
(REUTERS/Alvin Baez)
Bowen Xiao
10/19/2017
Updated:
10/19/2017

A conservative group is encouraging Americans across the United States to show support for the flag and the national anthem on the upcoming Veteran’s Day weekend.

Main Street Patriots want to send a message about the importance of standing and respecting the flag during NFL games, as players continue to kneel during the anthem in protest.

“I have watched professional football since the time there were two separate leagues – AFL and NFL in the late 60s,” Debbie Dooley, co-founder of the group told Breitbart News. “Sports has always been an arena where we are united in support of our favorite teams.”

“We are not Democrats or Republicans, we are simply fans,” Dooley said, adding that the NFL players are “seeking to change that by attempting to shove their political views down the throats of fans.”

The group is asking patriotic citizens across America to host or attend a “Flags Across America Rally,” during next month’s Veterans Day weekend.

Eli Harold No. 57, Arik Armstead No. 91, and K'Waun Williams No. 24 of the San Francisco 49ers kneel during the national anthem before a game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Oct. 15, 2017, in Landover, Md. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Eli Harold No. 57, Arik Armstead No. 91, and K'Waun Williams No. 24 of the San Francisco 49ers kneel during the national anthem before a game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Oct. 15, 2017, in Landover, Md. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Dooley hopes people will fly their flags everywhere and urged people to boycott the NFL.

“I urge patriotic Americans to exercise their First Amendment rights and boycott the NFL and their sponsors,” Dooley told Breitbart News.

Colin Kaepernick the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback first started sitting out the bench during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 2016, which caused a backlash from NFL fans and staff alike. He then softened his statement to kneeling during the anthem.

Kaepernick said at the time it was to protest police brutality and racial injustice. Kaepernick has since become a free agent and has not been hired by any NFL team.

Buffalo Bills players kneel during the national anthem prior to the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 1, 2017, in Atlanta, Ga. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills players kneel during the national anthem prior to the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 1, 2017, in Atlanta, Ga. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Co-founder of the group, Ralph King said that the rally symbolizes unity.

“Flags Across America symbolizes Americans coming together and showing respect and honor to our nation’s flag and the freedom and liberty it symbolizes to the world,” he said. “It is also to honor the veterans that fought and died so we can maintain that freedom and liberty.”

King said he had never witnessed such levels of attacks on the flag and the freedom it represents ever before.

“The U.S. flag and the freedom for which it stands, at levels never before witnessed in our country, is under constant attack from the left and now pampered sports figures,” King said. “We cannot allow these attacks to go unanswered.”

“Now is the time to be united standing in defense and proper recognition of Old Glory,” King said.

From NTD.tv
Bowen Xiao was a New York-based reporter at The Epoch Times. He covers national security, human trafficking and U.S. politics.
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