Former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick has become a voice for the voiceless by bravely sacrificing his NFL career to protest police brutality and systematic oppression.

On Thursday, May 10, 100 mothers who lost their children by the hands of police have journeyed to Washington D.C. to take part in The Truth, Hope and Justice Initiative to push for legislation to end police brutality. Many of the women have been pushed aside and silenced. For them, Kaepernick's dedication to the fight and his work have given them the strength to keep fighting for justice.

"Colin Kaepernick, thank you," Monteria Robinson told The New York Daily News. "Thank you for taking a stand. Thank you for being the voice for my son Jamarion Robinson. Because he's not here to tell his story, but my family, as well as you, can help share his name with the world."

Jamarion Robinson was gunned down in a shootout with U.S. Marshals in East Point, Georgia, in 2016. Monteria has fought for change since.

"My son was shot 76 times, and 95 rounds were fired at him, but 76 bullets entered his body," she said, drudging up nearly two years of pain to describe the details. "He was shot six times in the palm of his right hand and five times in the palm of his left hand. After they shot him 76 times, handcuffed him and dragged him down a flight of stairs. After that, they dropped the body in the living room in his girlfriend's apartment when they left him to lay there for eight hours with no medical aid."

Kaepernick's protests have become subject to right-wing vitriol since he took a knee during the 2016 football season. Many have claimed that he disrespected the flag and national anthem, but he's simply paying respect to black communities.

"It wasn't about that damn flag, don't be confused," said LaToya Howell, whose son, Justus, was shot and killed by Illinois police on April 4, 2015. "It's about the killing of black and brown people by the police. That's why he took a knee. That's why I will never stop my fight. I stand with Colin."

Kimberly Handy-Jones, the mother of Cordale Handy, wanted to make sure that people were well-aware that Kaep's protest was never meant to disrespect members of the military. In fact, Kaepernick often received the support of veterans who said they served so that he could protest.

"People want to say it's about disrespecting the military – it's not," Kimberly Handy-Jones said. "It's about racial inequalities. It was about racial injustices. It was about the slaying of black and brown men and women."

It has been almost two years since the young QB has touched a football. He has donated a million dollars to various charities around the country and has been awarded handsomely by humanitarian organizations, but he may not play again. Supporters know that.

"Kaepernick took a knee for US," said Felicia Thomas, mother of Nicholas Thomas, another young black man shot in the back by an officer. "He took a knee for all these families. He took a knee for freedom. He lost his position in the NFL for us. For US!"

Kaepernick protests

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