In the last few weeks the campaign against racism and for equality in the US has taken a big step forward as more and more NFL players have followed Colin Kaepernick in taking a knee. On Saturday Hertha Berlin took a stance and followed their American counterparts.
Colin Kaepernick, sickened by the deaths of black people in America at the hands of the police and the inequality in his country, started protesting during NFL matches first by sitting and then by kneeling during the national anthem.
Colin Kaepernick and two teammates take a knee during the national anthem last year. Image: PA
Despite the quarterback no longer having a club his cause was given the spotlight a few weeks ago when president Donald Trump decided to attack him and the NFL for their actions.
It had the adverse effect with owners and more players joining in the following week before their games. On Saturday in the Bundesliga Hertha Berlin players and coaches took a knee before kick off for their match against Schalke:
The Bundesliga side also sent a tweet of their players and coaches taking a knee with a message of solidarity:
After the match sporting executive Michael Preetz spoke to the press about the gesture saying: "We live in times in which football clubs, who are very much in the spotlight, must work out how to position themselves, and this is in tune with the values and the philosophy of Hertha Berlin.
"I've been here for 21 years, and we've always been against discrimination of any kind and against racism. We are Berlin. We are an open-minded city, and we stand for diversity, and that's what the team and the club wanted to stand up for today."
New Orleans Saints take a knee before their match at Wembley. Image: PA
Hertha forward Salomon Kalou said, "Hertha always stands against racism. If we can fight against that as a team, and as the city of Berlin, then that's something we want to do. I think Hertha is living a good example to fight against this phenomenon.
"The idea comes from the whole team. We stand against racism and we will always fight this behaviour as a team, as a city."
An incredible moment.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Germany, NFL, Bundesliga
