Hey everyone,

Last week we sent an update asking for you to send a list of hard demands we should seek if we were to watch NFL games again, in light of Colin Kaepernick being banned, players protesting during the anthem, and Trump not being clear on what the protests are about.

Since then many of you have written your comments. We have also received a bunch of emails on what you feel should be demanded.

Although we couldn't use all your demands (as we decided to stick to the original reason Kaepernick chose to protest), below is a summary of what many of you written down:

1. HOLDING POLICE ACCOUNTABLE

This, by far, was the OVERWHELMING theme in your demands. They include:

• Police officer(s) under investigation should be on leave WITHOUT PAY. If it is determined police have not committed in any wrongdoing, backpay can be awarded.
• A separate, independent review board that investigates police officers that kill unarmed individuals regardless of race & gender. This board will have strict guidelines & rules addressing proper protocols on how situations like this should occur & how it should be handled.
• More importantly, the officer(s) involved should NOT be investigated by the city, police force or district attorney that employed the officer. 
• If it is determined the officer did unlawfully kill an unarmed individual, there should be a grand jury hearing immediately conducted. 
• To fund the separate review board, the NFL (along with other organizations) can assist in that, since they like to throw money at the issue so it can "go away".
• A nationwide database would be created highlighting officers who have killed unarmed people in the line of duty. When the officers are fired from their current employer, they will not be able to go to the next city/state to secure another job.

2. SAFETY FOR NFL PLAYERS

• The NFL should adopt a policy protecting players who protest during the anthem. Other sports leagues can participate in adopting similar policies as well, especially the NBA, MLB, MLS, and NHL. Players must feel like they belong and are appreciated.

3. EDUCATION ON RACE RELATED ISSUES VIA COMMERCIALS

If people aren't constantly aware, they don't care -- especially if the issue doesn't directly affect them.

• There should be at least an equal amount of TV/media commercials explaining the statistics of people of color currently incarcerated, and/or the number of unarmed killings by cops -- as much as other causes is displayed (cancer, community engagement, etc).
• Yes, this may be uncomfortable for the viewers, but the truth is although players should be thankful for their salaries, the fans who buy tickets should be PRIVILEGED to see that type of talent on a weekly basis -- especially for a league that's 70% Black. The paying, outraged fans must know where many of these players came from and the issues many of them really face, because being "rich" doesn't block them from racism / racial bias.

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That's what we have so far. We're giving you an extra chance to ADD & SUGGEST changes to this by Wednesday, Aug 22nd.

Afterwards, we're taking your demands to the appropriate channels who can help write this as a bill and make it into a law so it can be upheld. Making it into law is KEY -- just merely suggesting it will not work.

And for those who are OFFENDED by the protest -- if you want this issue to "go away" so you can completely focus on your sports, you should SUPPORT this. Imagine if someone that looked like you (yes, we mean an unarmed white kid) was killed by a cop after walking down a street with a hoodie and some skittles? We bet you would show empathy for this cause. So support this!

You can write your suggestions in the comments below, or email us at unstrippedvoice@gmail.com. 

#NoKaepernickNoNFL
#ImWithKap