Before Colin Kaepernick there was Shemar Cooper! Infact, just a few days before!

15-yea-old Shemar Cooper is a student at Eisenhower High School in illionois and he refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegience.

Talking to WGN News he said, “America doesn’t respect Blacks,” and was clear that “Until they stop killing us, I’m not going to stand up.”

The incident started on August 26th during a Spanish class. His teacher Ms. Alfano came to ask why he wouldn’t stand and tried to force him to do so. He said that “America sucks!”.

His mother made him apologise for the words but supports his protest.

Continuing the protest a few days later he says that the teacher tried this time to force him from his chair!

Shemar’s mother reported the incident to Blue Island Police, she wants charges filed against Ms. Alfano.

Explaining that the family does not hate America his mother said “It’s the behaviors that are put out from some of the people towards Black people that we disapprove of.”

The highschool have also released a statement where they said

“Eisenhower High School takes any allegations of violations of students rights seriously. We respect students’ First Amendment right to not stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.”