NFL player Colin Kaepernick ignited a political firestorm when he refused to stand up during the national anthem at a pre season game – an action that has since gained more prominence as more athletes and prominent figures join the action to protest police brutality.
The latest to join the protest is singer Chris Brown, who over the weekend refused to stand during the anthem at a charity basketball game he was involved in.
Brown has had his own run-in with police in recent days when his house was put under siege after he was accused of assault and refused to surrender.
MailOnline reports that Brown was at the fifth annual Power 106 Celebrity Basketball Game benefiting Homeboy Industries at USC’s Galen Center.
The event was on Sunday, during the commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks – a sensitive occasion that made Brown’s actions seem much more egregious, or effective.
He reportedly sat, laughing with friends, whilst the anthem was being sung, although, at the end, he “bounced up at the end and applauded the effort.” – the Daily Mail added.
Since Kaepernick’s protest, several other NFL stars have joined in not standing for the anthem, garnering more attention with the start of the regular season.