In a show of solidarity in the wake of the Missouri Grand Jury decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson for the murder of Michael Brown, 5 St. Louis Rams players exited the tunnel before their game with their ‘Hands Up’. The gesture has become a symbol of solidarity with Michael Brown and the police brutality in the black community.
However, the St. Louis Police Officers Association, didn’t think the gesture was a great idea and are calling it “way out of bounds.” They feel the players involved should be forced by the NFL to apologize and be punished for their participation. However, the NFL has released a statement indicating they will do nothing of the sort.
During pregame introductions this past Sunday, Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey, Jared Cook and Chris Givens stood together and raised their hands before taking the field.
Public Statement by SLPOA: The SLPOA is calling for the players involved to be disciplined and for the Rams and the NFL to deliver a very public apology. Roorda said he planned to speak to the NFL and the Rams to voice his organization’s displeasure tomorrow. He also plans to reach out to other police organizations in St. Louis and around the country to enlist their input on what the appropriate response from law enforcement should be. Roorda warned, “I know that there are those that will say that these players are simply exercising their First Amendment rights.
Public Statement by SLPOA: The SLPOA is calling for the players involved to be disciplined and for the Rams and the NFL to deliver a very public apology. Roorda said he planned to speak to the NFL and the Rams to voice his organization’s displeasure tomorrow. He also plans to reach out to other police organizations in St. Louis and around the country to enlist their input on what the appropriate response from law enforcement should be. Roorda warned, “I know that there are those that will say that these players are simply exercising their First Amendment rights.
Well I’ve got news for people who think that way, cops have first amendment rights too, and we plan to exercise ours. I’d remind the NFL and their players that it is not the violent thugs burning down buildings that buy their advertiser’s products. It’s cops and the good people of St. Louis and other NFL towns that do. Somebody needs to throw a flag on this play. If it’s not the NFL and the Rams, then it’ll be cops and their supporters.
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