NFL quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick has founded a new youth program, Know Your Rights Camp, dedicated to educating underpriveleged youth about a variety of issues. Per the organization's website, the camp is "a free campaign for youth to raise awareness on higher education, self empowerment, and instruction to properly interact with law enforcement in various scenarios."
An article from the New York Daily News' Shaun King documents the camp's inaugural event, hosted in Downtown Oakland over the weekend by Kaep and a staff of volunteers. The writer was invited by Kaepernick personally to cover the event.
The article details the camp's first session, in which Kaepernick outlined the core mission of the initiative. "We're here today to fight back and give you all lessons to combat the oppressive issues that our people face on a daily basis," says Kaepernick, identifying police violence, education, financial literacy, and nutrition as key areas of focus.
King also noted the organization's ten-point plan, inspired by the Black Panther Party, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary in Oakland this year. Campers were given t-shirts with a list of rights printed on the back. "You have the right to be free," comes first, but others on the list sub in words like 'healthy,' 'brilliant,' 'trusted' and 'safe.'
Read more from King's story here, and learn more about Know Your Rights Camp here.