Wealthy NFL owners passed -- without any input from players -- a sweeping new policy that clamps down on NFL players being able to kneel during the performance of the national anthem. If a player wishes to raise awareness about a social justice issue -- which was what pushed players like Colin Kaepernick and others to "take a knee" during the national anthem -- they will be forced to stay in the locker room.

The new policy, vote on by owners and in many ways a response to criticism the NFL faced by President Donald Trump, takes effect immediately. For any player who refuses to stand for the national anthem, their team will be fined and punished by NFL leaders. 

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has expressed disappointment in the new policy, saying that "The NFL chose to not consult the union in the development of this new 'policy.' NFL players have shown their patriotism through their social activism, their community service, in support of our military and law enforcement and yes, through their protests to raise awareness about the issues they care about."

The NFLPA says they may challenge the new policy. Please sign this petition to encourage them to do just that, and send a message that NFL owners should listen to their players, rather than the rantings of the President on Twitter.

Other critics of the policy say that the NFL is trying to force players who want to draw attention to racial violence or racial injustice into hiding.

"In a nutshell, the NFL is essentially 'hiding' those who want to show a symbolic gesture for what Kaepernick originally took a knee for: the killing of unarmed people of color by police & their tactics -- in a league that's 70% black," said the organizers of a #BoycottNFL pledge. 

That's why the NFLPA needs to stand up for players, and demand a review of this policy and take a firm stand that no player should be forced to hide in a locker room or fined for peacefully drawing attention to social justice issues.