Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has backed the peaceful protests that have taken place by players across the NFL in the United States,
Hamilton on Sunday posted a picture of Martin Luther King Jr. with the hashtag #takeaknee to express his support for players who opt to kneel during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Although the three-time World Champion is the only member of the Formula 1 paddock to comment on this controversial issue, he isn’t the only race driver to do so. NASCAR chmpion Dale Earnhardt Jr. pledged his support for Americans’ right to peacefully protest on Twitter.
All Americans R granted rights 2 peaceful protests
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable-JFK— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) September 25, 2017
Hamilton took to Instagram again on Monday calling on people to educate themselves so they can fully engage in the debate.
His follow-up post featured a picture of Colin Kaepernick, who many believe is without an NFL team because he dared to protest racial inequality during the United States anthem.
President Donald Trump brought attention to the NFL players’ demonstrations during a rally in Alabama, where he decalred that teams should fire any “SOB” who doesn’t stand for the United States anthem.
In response, Kaepernick’s mother, Teresa, tweeted, “Guess that makes me a proud b!tch!”