Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, has continued to fight against rights against “racial oppression and inequality” by kneeling during the playing of the National Anthem.

His protest began in the preseason, but went largely unnoticed until August 26, when the media picked up on it. He said his refusal to stand is not meant to denigrate police, military, or the country, but rather to bring attention to what he sees as failings in the United States.

In an interview on ESPN.com, Kaepernick said, “This stand wasn’t for me, this is because I’m seeing things happen to people that don’t have a voice, people that don’t have a platform to talk and have their voices heard, and effect change. So I’m in the position where I can do that and I’m going to do that for people that can’t.”

Since he began his protest, teammate Eric Reid and other NFL players have shown their support: Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane, Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, and players from several other teams are now kneeling or sitting during the anthem.

All around the country, reporters, sports analysts, and even Williston students have an opinion on Kaepernick’s action.

Spencer Danforth, 17, said he has, “great respect for his cause and what he is doing,” but believed Kaepernick is disrespecting the flag and the military by kneeling during the anthem.

Danforth thinks Kaepernick should “take the money that he has earned in the NFL to create a foundation to help begin a peaceful protest with financial backing.”

Fellow Senior Kyle Henseler agrees with Danforth’s support of Kaepernick’s cause.

“I agree with his actions and the stance he is taking,” Henseler said. “Everybody that says that he is degrading the American Flag is looking at it the wrong way, because if it was about the military or the flag, he could be taking a more direction action like turning away [from the flag]. ”

Senior Julien Nicolas, a starting lineman for the Wildcats, spoke out about his opinion on Colin Kaepernick as both a football player and as an African American male.

“I do support his actions to bring awareness to the injustices in the black community,” Nicolas said. “I appreciate him as an athlete using his voice to say something, by using his first amendment rights to speak out against what is unjust.”

Nicolas feels for more substantial change to occur, athletes and others in prominent social positions will need to follow Kaepernick’s lead.

“I feel like this is a smart and good way of getting out the message of the injustice in America,” Nicolas said, “however, I do not think a significant change will happen unless more black celebrities or people with a voice in general start talking about this matter.”