kneeling protest
Crouching act of dissent
A kneeling protest is a form of demonstration where participants kneel rather than stand, typically during a national anthem or other ceremonial moment.
The gesture gained prominence in 2016 when NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the U.S. national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality.
The act is deliberately quiet and nonviolent but provocative—using a posture associated with reverence to signal dissent.
Players across the league joined in kneeling protests.
- anthemOfficial song of praise
- NFLPro football organization
- solidarityUnity among allies
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- racial injusticeBias against ethnic groups
Colin Kaepernick · police brutality · taking a knee · football · activism · Black Lives Matter · social justice · flag · stadium · sideline · defiance · courage · free speech · controversy · peaceful · demonstration · civil rights · injustice
- protestdemonstration, walkout, picket, sit-in, candlelight vigil
- political controversiesabortion, gun control, voter suppression, gerrymandering, affirmative action
- gesturesgesture, hand gestures, applause, hand raise, tap on shoulder
- sports ethicsfair play, sportsmanship, integrity, doping, honesty
kneeling protesthand over heart
Gesture showing national respect
standing at attention · flag salute · pledge of allegiance · singing along · flag waving
kneeling, protest, kneel, kneels, kneeled, knelt, kneeler, protests, protested