Kaepernick and Fauci will be honored as Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights award laureates

Authored by edition.cnn.com and submitted by Ravenq222
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(CNN) Top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick are being honored as 2020 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope award laureates.

The award is given out to leaders who use their platforms for good and demonstrate a commitment to social change, the organization's website says.

The announcement comes after Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has become one of the leading voices in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kaepernick, who famously began kneeling during the national anthem prior to the start of NFL games in 2016, receives the award as athletes around the US continue to kneel in protest against racial injustice. He is now a human rights activist and the co-founder of the multi-city civil rights program Know Your Rights Camp

"In 2017, I was in the audience honoring Mr. Harry Belafonte as he accepted the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award," Kaepernick said in a release. "I am humbled to follow the footsteps of individuals like Mr. B and to be in the company of all the other laureates. Thank you for this prestigious award."

sandwooder on July 29th, 2020 at 20:12 UTC »

Trump said he was honored too and that Robert F. Kennedy called him personally to congratulate him.

armchaircommanderdad on July 29th, 2020 at 18:20 UTC »

I'd like Kaep to drop nike. Using slave labor and potentially forced labor from Uighyer Concentration camps is a stand he should take.

Losing money from Nike endorsements for doing the right thing would be great to see. He has the platform, he should speak out.

hildebrand_rarity on July 29th, 2020 at 16:50 UTC »

"Their work for equal justice touches every corner of society, sometimes at great personal cost. We are deeply honored to celebrate these changemakers, who have set forth countless ripples of hope at a time when our world is in such need of inspiration."

This is sure to piss off a lot of people including the President.