‘People still don't get why Kaepernick’s kneeling?’: Twitter blasts #TerenceCrutcher killing
The hashtag #TerenceCrutcher is trending on Twitter as tens of thousands of people react to the police killing of the unarmed black man in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Friday evening.
Police dashcam and helicopter footage released Monday confirmed that Crutcher was not carrying a weapon at the time of his killing.
Crutcher’s death has prompted Twitter users to ask why some people still can’t understand NFL player Colin Kaepernick’s US national anthem protest, highlighting systemic abuses against African Americans and minorities in the US.
And people still don't understand why Kaepernick is kneeling? #TerenceCrutcher
— Layshia Clarendon (@Layshiac) September 20, 2016
#TerenceCrutcher is indicative of a larger issue: US impunity and the continuation of human rights abuses @ home. #BlackLivesMatter
— Ajamu Baraka (@ajamubaraka) September 20, 2016
The police footage showed Crutcher walk with his hands up to his SUV and place them on the vehicle as four police officers approached from behind with handguns or stun guns pointed at him. One of the officers can be heard in the helicopter footage saying, "That looks like a bad dude, too.”
#TerranceCrutcher was labeled as a "big bad dude" well I probably stand no chance with the wrong person pulling me over #HarshTruth
— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) September 20, 2016
You ask us why we protest.
— Max Keeble (@_CasanovaJr) September 20, 2016
You ask us why we kneel.
You ask us why we cry.
Click the #TerenceCrutcher hashtag and find out
Crutcher, a college student and father, was shot by officer Betty Shelby who had worked with Tulsa Police Department since 2011. She has since been placed on paid leave. The Justice Department has opened an independent investigation into Crutcher’s killing.
I hope you're more outraged at an innocent father being shot than you are at football players kneeling. #TerenceCruthcher#UnitedAgainstHate
— Heather Stockett (@heatherstockett) September 20, 2016
#TerenceCrutcher unarmed walking to his car. Hands raised. Shot. Killed. Expect more kneeling football players. pic.twitter.com/mrp1ilrwfc
— Kaelo A (@_Kaelo_) September 20, 2016
Crutcher’s family have called for charges to be immediately filed against the police officer. Meanwhile, Twitter has erupted in outrage, with many suggesting the incident is yet more evidence that footballer Kaepernick’s kneeling protest is justified.
how can anyone watch #TerenceCrutcher be gunned down & not understand why #colinkapernick is kneeling during the national anthem?
— Franchesca Ramsey (@chescaleigh) September 20, 2016
And people are mad at Colin Kaepernick for taking a knee. It's b/c Black people keep taking bullets from the thugs in blue. #TerenceCrutcher
— Awesomely Luvvie (@Luvvie) September 20, 2016
While you were busy questioning Colin Kaepernick's patriotism, the police murdered #TerenceCrutcher on his way home from college.
— Sean Kent (@seankent) September 20, 2016
So #THEY mad at Colin @Kaepernick7 for protesting the US Anthem but not mad AT the injustices he's protesting? #TerenceCruthcher
— Vincent Tucker (@YoungHeartbreak) September 20, 2016
Kaepernick sparked controversy when he refused to stand for the national anthem at a game he was playing at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara last month. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback said he was protesting police brutality and racial injustices in the US and his peaceful demonstration has since gathered momentum as more sports stars join in.
His protest has also been heavily criticized, including by a police union.
President Obama said that although some found Kaepernick’s anthem protest difficult to watch, he defended the sports star’s right to protest.
READ MORE: US anthem protests increase despite police criticism
Suddenly, taking a knee during the anthem doesn't seem so outlandish, does it? #TerenceCruthcher
— Wesley Rodgers (@rodgerswesley) September 20, 2016
There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder." -- Colin Kaepernick#TerenceCrutcherpic.twitter.com/RbdTesh5g6
— Crystal Johnson (@Crystal1Johnson) September 19, 2016
Heart hurts watching the #TerenceCrutcher video. Shot and labeled a "bad dude" for simply existing. This is why Kaepernick sits.
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) September 20, 2016
I better see way more NFL Players kneeling this Sunday. #TerenceCruthcher
— King Jamma (Jam) (@freshjam) September 20, 2016
African American sports stars have been among those most vocal on Twitter in the aftermath of Terence Crutcher’s killing.
Wake up to see another black man killed by the police.. pic.twitter.com/9lE7drmevu
— DARNELL DOCKETT (@ddockett) September 20, 2016
Sad part is we Americans pay the police salaries through taxes. Take our money pay the police they get a badge and kill us. Smfh!
— DARNELL DOCKETT (@ddockett) September 20, 2016
I am #TerenceCruthcher 🙏🏾
— Strizzy (@JaelenStrong) September 20, 2016
How can you make that assumption about that man flying above him in a helicopter?
— James-Michael (@52JMJ) September 20, 2016
Another day , another murder smh . #TerenceCruthcher Rest in Peace
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) September 20, 2016
Hard to understand. We shoot a terrorist in the leg, but we shoot to kill an unarmed man.
— Rick Lewis (@Coach_Rick57) September 20, 2016
#TerenceCruthcher
The shooting comes amid heightened tensions between the black community and the police following a number of recent high profile police shootings caught on video, such as the killings of of Philando Castille and Alton Sterling which sparked widespread protests across the US this summer.
READ MORE:Ohio cop shoots dead 13yo boy after he pulls BB gun
How many times does this officer lie about the shooting of #TerenceCrutcher in less than 45 seconds? pic.twitter.com/SXq1ZdxhLQ
— Benjamin Dixon (@TheBpDShow) September 20, 2016
If there wasn't the video I'm sure they would've told us that #TerenceCrutcher lunged at them & that they feared for their lives.
— deray mckesson (@deray) September 20, 2016
If a man with his hands up and unarmed makes you nervous enough to shoot him, you should find a new job!! #TerenceCruthcher
— Fit Photographer (@Blak_IcePhotog) September 20, 2016
