They're taking a stand and making a statement.  Most will tell you it's a stand against police brutality and racial inequality.

Football players in the NFL and now the CFL are taking to one knee and / or joining arms during the national anthem before they play.  

It started last season when player Colin Kaepernick sat on the bench during The Star Spangled Banner.  He was protesting against what he called "a country that oppresses black people and people of colour."

Many of us will remember John Carlos and Tommie Smith raising their fists in what was called the "black power salute" on the podium at the '68 Olympics.

Remember Cassius Clay changing his name to Muhammad Ali and refusing to fight in the Vietnam War.

A couple of thoughts;

We haven't made much progress in half a century and it seems to me that such protests seem to be divisive.