NFL Free Agent Kaepernick Visits Alcatraz Island

NFL free agent Colin Kaepernick spent the holiday celebrating with crowds at the annual Indigenous People Sunrise Ceremony on Alcatraz Island. The former San Francisco 49ers' quarterback made a surprise appearance on Thursday, November 23. A tradition since 1975, the annual dawn festivities, also known as Unthanksgiving Day, commemorate the 1969-71 occupation of Alcatraz by 'Indians of All Tribes'.

Kaepernick said he joined 'in solidarity with those celebrating their culture and paying respects' while also 'in an effort to force America to honor the Treaty of Fort Laramie.'

He added, "I realize that our fight is the same fight. We're all fighting for our justice, for our freedom, and realizing that we're in this fight together makes it all the more powerful. If there's one thing that I take away from today and seeing the beauty of everybody out here, it's that we're only getting stronger every day, we're only getting larger and larger every day. I see the strength in everybody. The dancing, the rituals – that is our resistance. We continue to fight. We continue to fight for justice. We fight for our freedom, and we continue on that path."

Kaepernick, 30, has been the center of attention during games in recent months after he began kneeling instead of standing during the national anthem as a way to protest racial inequality and police brutality.

The demonstration sparked an ongoing wave of NFL protests by players during the anthem that have been repeatedly denounced by President Donald Trump.

Kaepernick parted ways with the 49ers in March and hasn't been signed by another team.

Earlier this month, the football star was named GQ's magazine's 'Citizen of the Year' for his activism.

Kaepernick said on Twitter he was 'honored' by the recognition, but refused a formal interview.

Rapper J. Cole says Kaepernick 'sacrificed his dream' to stand for something and

ninety-year-old singer and activist Harry Belafonte says seeing people like Kaepernick taking action is 'the greatest reward' he could ask for.