Activists hope Colin Kaepernick donates to Bay Area organzations

ByElissa Harrinton KGO logo

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Bay Area groups hope to benefit from Kaepernick's $1M donation

Colin Kaepernick said he plans to continue his protests, but he also intends to donate a $1 million to help the very communities he says he's protesting for.

SAN DIEGO (KGO) -- 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick said he plans to continue his protests, but he also intends to donate a $1 million to help the very communities he says he's protesting for.

He began by giving $60,000 worth of backpacks to New York schools. Bay Area organizations are also hoping to be on the receiving end of the donations.

FULL INTERVIEW: 49ers QB Kaepernick responds to national anthem controversy

There's been a lot of controversy around the way Kaepernick is choosing to protest. Thursday night, he took a knee when the national anthem played.

After the win against the San Diego Chargers, he pledged to donated $1 million to fund causes he supports.

"I am planning to take it a step further. I'm currently working with organizations to be involved and making sure that I'm actively in these communities," Kaepernick said.

Kaepernick has refused to stand for the national anthem in protest of what he calls oppression of black people.

Civil rights organizations, like the nonprofit Ella Baker Center in Downtown Oakland, hope the football star gives back to the community that supports him.

"It could be helpful for one thing in addressing affordable housing. We need more housing her in the bay area. We also need to be addressed with spending more dollars on mental health services," said Darris Young of the Ella Baker Center.

Activist Cat Brooks also refuses to stand during the national anthem. She hopes Kaepernick donates to grassroots organizations at the forefront of the fight against inequality.

"There's a lot of things happening to the most marginalized members of our community and an influx of resources could really help, like obs for young people," Brooks said.

Kaepernick has not revealed exactly where the money is going. He did make an effort to invest in youth. Kaepernick, along with his radio host girlfriend Nessa, donated $60,000 worth of backpacks for kids in Harlem and the Bronx.

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