A legendary former New York City police officer joined dozens of cops on Saturday to support getting Colin Kaepernick a new job in the National Football League.
Retired officer Frank Serpico, who became famous for standing against police corruption, was among the policemen wearing ‘#imwithkap’ shirts in Brooklyn.
Kaepernick became a controversial figure last year after he refused to stand for the national anthem to protest police brutality against people of color.
He opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March and became a free agent. No NFL teams have signed the quarterback for the upcoming season.
Legendary retired New York City Police Officer Frank Serpico joined dozens of cops on Saturday to support getting Colin Kaepernick a new job in the National Football League
Serpico, who became famous for standing against police corruption, was among the policemen wearing ‘#imwithkap’ shirts in Brooklyn
Kaepernick became a controversial figure last year after he refused to stand for the national anthem to protest police brutality against oppression of people of color
Saturday’s gathering in Brooklyn featured about 75 mostly minority officers wearing the black #imwithkap T-shirts.
Standing among them was Serpico, whose exploits were featured in the 1973 Oscar-nominated film that shared his name and starred Al Pacino in the title role.
Serpico, 81, admitted to not being a football fan, but said he felt it was important to support Kaepernick for his stance.
‘He’s trying to hold up this government up to our founding fathers,’ Serpico added.
‘I am here to support anyone who has the courage to stand up against injustice and oppression anywhere in this country and the world.’
Serpico uncovered widespread corruption in the NYPD while working undercover in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
He retired in 1972 with the NYPD’s highest honor after he was shot in the face during a drug arrest.
Serpico (left) uncovered widespread corruption in the NYPD while working undercover in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was later portrayed by Al Pacino (right) in the 1973 film Serpico
Saturday’s gathering in Brooklyn featured about 75 mostly minority officers wearing the black #imwithkap T-shirts
Retired New York City Police Deputy Inspector and author Corey Pegues is surrounded by members of law enforcement as he speaks during a rally to show support for Kaepernick
Suspicions have long swirled that fellow officers failed to provide Serpico with backup that night and would not call for help after he was shot as revenge for speaking out against the department.
When Al Pacino asked Serpico why he decided to take on the cause, he replied: ‘I guess I would have to say it would be because…if I didn’t, who would I be when I listened to a piece of music?’
Serpico has become well-known for his activism regarding police brutality, and on Saturday he took a knee and raised a fist with his fellow brothers in blue.
The gesture was in reference to the fact that Kaepernick took a knee or sat down during the national anthem before playing in NFL games last year.
NYPD Sgt Edwin Raymond, who helped organize the event, said Kaepernick was bringing awareness to the racism that has been ignored in America for ‘far too long’.
‘We decided to gather here today because of the way he’s being railroaded for speaking the truth,’ Raymond said during the event, according to the New York Daily News.
Members of law enforcement raise their fists during a rally to show support for Kaepernick, who has not been signed by the NFL for this upcoming season
‘Until racism in America is no longer taboo, we own up to it, we admit it, we understand it and then we do what we have to do to solve it.’
A number of NFL players have vocalized their confusion that Kaepernick has been ignored by the league since leaving the Niners.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said he found it ‘crazy’ that his former 49ers teammate did not have a contract for the 2017-2018 season.
‘That’s a crazy thing, as good as he was playing,’ Smith told the Kansas City Star.
‘Young, strong, I felt like he had a long career ahead of him. Crazy that at this point he’s out of a job.’
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman has likewise spoken up in defense of Kaepernick, remarking that his current NFL status was ‘not about football’.