Protest takes place during last day of Cowboys camp

Thursday was the last day that the Dallas Cowboys held practice in Oxnard, and a group of protestors showed up. They say they support NFL players’ first amendment right to take knee during the National Anthem.

Colin Kaepernick first took a knee during the National Anthem at a NFL preseason game back in 2016. Two years later the protest among players is still a hot topic.

“You know it’s their amendment right to do that,” said Barry Frank, a Cowboy fan who came to cheer on the team during their last practice. “I just don’t like the timing of when they do it.”

The Dallas Cowboys have been training in Oxnard for nearly three weeks. Thursday morning was their last day of practice before heading back home to Texas. On that last day a group of peaceful demonstrators showed up with signs, and even taking a knee themselves supporting players who decide to kneel during the National Anthem.

“The reason I decided to organize this peaceful protest is because I think that social justice is important,” said Martha Martinez-Bravo. Martinez-Bravo, a mother from Camarillo organized the protest. “We want to get the message out that Collin Kaepernick is trying to convey. It’s really about focusing on oppression and racism.”

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said during a press conference last month that team policy requires all players to stand on the field for the national anthem. Jones went further saying the team won’t support players who chose to remain in the locker room during the anthem.

“So the Cowboys really are the football team of America,” said Martinez-Bravo. “We really wanted to get the point across that they have their 1st amendment right to protest against oppression so we wanted to take a knee for their ability to take that stand.”

The Cowboys starting quarterback weighed in on the topic last month.

“No I never protested,” said Dax Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback. “I never protest during the anthem and I don’t think that is the time or the venue to do so. The game of football always brought me so much peace and I think that is the same for a lot of people. When you bring such a controversy to the stadium, to the field, to the game it take away from that.”

But some players have different opinions.

“I think everyone has a right to protest whatever they want,” said Brian Price, the Cowyboys defensive tackle. “We have had folks in this country do worse things.”