For Immediate Release

MEDIA CONTACT: Usamah Andrabi, 646.992.8305

usamah.andrabi@berlinrosen.com

Color Of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, issued the following statement in response to the Miami Dolphins’ owner, Stephen Ross, passing a new policy penalizing any player who does not come out on the field for the national anthem with a four-game suspension policy.

Rashad Robinson, President of Color Of Change:

“The Dolphins’ policy is a cowardly attempt to silence Black players who are continuing a necessary conversation around racial injustice and police violence in the United States. Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross co-founded RISE–an organization that claims to be improving race relations within the NFL and other sports organizations–but instead of encouraging Black players to rise against injustice, Ross is demanding their silence.

This behavior from Ross isn’t new. He and other billionaire enablers chose to side with their white supremacist president as he defended neo-Nazis in the aftermath of Charlottesville. Ross and his team have also prioritized silencing Black players and million-dollar profits over punishing players for beating their pregnant girlfriends.

The fact that players who are peacefully protesting and calling attention to the shooting of unarmed Black Americans are being put on the same stage as people who use performance-enhancing drugs proves the point that players are making with their protest: white supremacy underscores many of our country’s institutions, including the National Football League.

Over a hundred thousand Color Of Change members have spoken out on this issue since the protests began and we will continue to speak out and push back against corporate sponsors and others that try to silence peaceful protests.”