AsAmNews National Correspondent
Celebrity DJ, record producer and music executive Steve Aoki took a knee with controversial NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick against racism.
The two appeared to be standing in front of a mural in New York’s Tribeca in Lower Manhattan.
“We #takeaknee to STAND UP against racism,” Aoki tweeted.
We #takeaknee to STAND UP against racism ✊? @kaepernick7 pic.twitter.com/9dWidmtUq1
— Kolony Out Now (@steveaoki) October 29, 2017
In a tweet that included several pictures with Aoki, Kaepernick channeled the words of Asian American activist Yuri Kochiyama.
“The movement is contagious, and the people in it are the ones who pass on the spirit.” the quarterback posted underneath the photos. Great to build with @SteveAoki.
Great to build with @steveaoki ✊?
“The movement is contagious, and the people in it are the ones who pass on the spirit.” – Yuri Kochiyama pic.twitter.com/0eanqxx93a
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) October 29, 2017
The NFL quarterback lead the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII in 2013. But in subsequent seasons, his play began to decline as did his team with him. Kaepernick is now known more for being the first NFL player to take a knee during the National Anthem. He has sued the league accusing the league and its owners of conspiring to keep him out of football due to his activism.
He left the 49ers after last season to pursue a free agent contract, but has not been signed by any other team. Analysts say several quarterbacks who had worse seasons than Kaepernick have been signed ahead of him.
Aoki is a Grammy nominated artist who has worked with some big names in the music industry including will.i.am, Linkin Park and Iggy Izalea. He came out in support of the reelection of Barack Obama in 2012, but generally is not known for his political activism. He is the son of Rocky Aoki, the founder of the Benihana restaurant chain.
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