San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is sitting (or kneeling) during the national anthem as a protest over racial injustice, and police brutality in particular. 

The Santa Clara police union is not happy about it and might not work at 49ers home games as a result.  The 49ers’ stadium is located in Santa Clara. 

CSN Bay Area obtained a letter sent by the Santa Clara police union to the 49ers saying that if the team doesn’t take action against its quarterback “it could result in police officers choosing not to work at your facilities.” 

“The board of directors of the Santa Clara Police Officer’s Association has a duty to protect its members and work to make all of their workings environments free of harassing behavior,” the letter said, according to CSN Bay Area. 

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Kaepernick spoke out against police brutality a couple times in the past week, first explaining why he sat down for the national anthem before the 49ers’ preseason game against the Green Bay Packers last week, then again after Thursday night’s preseason game.  Kaepernick took a knee for that anthem, and was joined by 49ers safety Eric Reid. 

Kaepernick has spoken out about police, and caused a stir when photos were found of him wearing socks during practice depicting pigs in police uniforms. 

“There’s things we can do to hold them more accountable, make those standards higher,” Kaepernick said. “ You have people that practice law and our lawyers and go to school for eight years, but you can become a cop in six months and don’t have to have the same amount of training as a cosmetologist. 

“That’s insane.  Someone that’s holding a curling iron has more education and more training than people that have a gun and are going out on the street to protect us.” 

Kaepernick’s protest has drawn strong feelings on both sides, and the Santa Clara police union is not happy with his message. 

Colin Kaepernick (AP) More

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports.  Have a tip?  Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! 

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