Unlike their counterparts in other sports, NHL players have opted not to kneel in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement during their return to the ice this week.
Some hockey fans are responding on social media with pictures of themselves kneeling at home after NHL players drew support from Eric Trump, son of President Donald Trump. They used the hashtag #Kneel4Hockey to voice their perspective.
There have been protests across the U.S. in recent months against police brutality and racial inequality, after George Floyd died while in police custody in Minneapolis. While NHL players didn't kneel, some did link arms during the anthem.
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Here is a collection of Twitter posts from kneeling hockey fans:
If the players won’t, I will #Kneel4Hockey. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/SXxfZQhtvS
— Jillian Fisher (@FisherJillian) July 31, 2020
I #Kneel4Hockey because I want the NHL to commit to change. Listen to your BIPOC players, make their voices heard! CHANGE HOCKEY CULTURE! #HockeyIsForEveryone @theHDA2020 pic.twitter.com/Q1x9Kkb18T
— 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕖💜 (@tismartie) July 31, 2020
If the league won’t do it, I will. #BlackLivesMatter #Kneel4Hockey pic.twitter.com/WS2SJIegGD
— Brayden (@Engel_Brayden) July 31, 2020
Today, we as hockey fans need to #Kneel4Hockey if we really want #HockeyIsForEveryone to be true. I love the sport, but work needs to be done to make the game open, accepting, and available to everyone.
— Joe Ginley (@JoeGinley) July 31, 2020
Support #BlackLivesMatter and @BlackGirlHockey 🏒 pic.twitter.com/21I4W9Ojld
I kneel because others won’t. I kneel because the NHL has refused to acknowledge the racism and injustices that are so prevalent in hockey culture #Kneel4Hockey #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/jOhW8FxK5r
— From Tape to Tape (@fromtapetotape) July 31, 2020
I #Kneel4Hockey because the @NHL won’t. I kneel in my Eichel Jersey because he won’t. pic.twitter.com/1jgQ1VON7s
— Hannah (@hburrito92) July 31, 2020
I kneel because everytime I walk into an arena as a queer black woman I know I’m taking a risk. Because I never feel safe wearing a jersey in public without facing assault. Because black women and men in this sport face racism every day. Let’s change the culture. #Kneel4Hockey pic.twitter.com/bWpyq5wfcj
— Karissa Kosman ➡️ BLM (@k2_cosplay) July 31, 2020
I #Kneel4Hockey because the @NHL players won't and the league isn't doing enough to end racism in hockey culture #HockeyIsForEveryone #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/TGvADFF88f
— Nick Partain | BLM (@Npartainspecial) July 31, 2020
As a disabled person who lives alone, has poor balance and one working arm this wasn't easy but I managed. Why can't the @NHL ? #kneel4hockey pic.twitter.com/kvaqDioWQ2
— becky (@OneMoreBecky) July 31, 2020