Shoulders of Giants (Pre-2016)

Tommie Smith John Carlos

American Heroes: Pre-2016 National Anthem Protests Against Racism
Name	Protest Date	Significant Notes
William Van Ness Parade of Draft Men Chatham, New York	September 23, 1917 SOURCE	Refused to remove hat for the national anthem. Van Ness was chased by members of the Hoem Defense Corps and beaten by Lt. Cornelius Shufelt. After being arrested and held in jail for six days, Van Ness was taken before the justice who was none other than Lt Shufelt. Shufeld noted that his beating Ven Ness had actuall saved Van Ness from the mob. Shufelt believed Van Ness had suffered enough and released him.
John Carlos 1968 Olympic Games Mexico City, Mexico	October 16, 1968 SOURCE SOURCE	Raised fist during the national anthem while wearing a black glove. The United States Olympic Committee suspended Carlos and Smith from the United States Olympic Team, purportedly at the behest of the International Olympic Committee. The U.S.O.C. issued a statement of its “profound regrets” to the I.O.C., the Mexican Olympic organizing committee, and the Mexican people, calling the national anthem protest discourteous, “untypical exhibitionism” and “immature.” The U.S.O.C. went on to threaten “the imposition of the severest penalties at the disposal of the United States Olympic Committee” should any other Olympic athlete deign to follow suit. This warning was read directly to three other Olympic athletes whom U.S.O.C. heard were “black power advocates.” Carlos and Smith were subjected to extensive backlash for their protest, including death threats to them and their families, racial slurs, and being ostracized upon return to the United States.
Tommie Smith 1968 Olympic Games Mexico City, Mexico	October 16, 1968 SOURCE SOURCE	Raised fist during the national anthem while wearing a black glove. The United States Olympic Committee suspended Carlos and Smith from the United States Olympic Team, purportedly at the behest of the International Olympic Committee. The U.S.O.C. issued a statement of its “profound regrets” to the I.O.C., the Mexican Olympic organizing committee, and the Mexican people, calling the national anthem protest discourteous, “untypical exhibitionism” and “immature.” The U.S.O.C. went on to threaten “the imposition of the severest penalties at the disposal of the United States Olympic Committee” should any other Olympic athlete deign to follow suit. This warning was read directly to three other Olympic athletes whom U.S.O.C. heard were “black power advocates.” Carlos and Smith were subjected to extensive backlash for their protest, including death threats to them and their families, racial slurs, and being ostracized upon return to the United States.
Unnamed members of the student body San Jose State University San Jose, California	December 1968 SOURCE	Raised fist during the national anthem. Black athletes at schools throughout the country, including both San Jose State and Fresno State, refused to play for their teams in solidarity with Black football players who’d had their scholarships revoked when they protested playing Brigham Young University due to Mormon racism.
Unnamed members of the student body Northern Illinois University DeKalb, Illinois	1970 SOURCE	Remained seated, with some also raising a fist, during the national anthem in protest of racism in America. Some also began singing the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The following season in 1971, Richard J. Nelson, NIU president, banned the playing of the national anthem at basketball games. This prompted intense backlash across Illinois. There was also criticism from then Governor Richard B. Ogilvie. Those within the NIU community were angry as well. The students’ bold actions also prompted irate letters to the editor. The national anthem was reinstated at a game against Indiana University on January 4, 1972, This lead to some individuals walking out, while others remained seated during the song’s playing.
Unnamed members of the basketball team Florida State University Tallhassee, Florida	January 13, 1971 SOURCE	Remained seated during the national anthem. As a result, the coach requested that the national anthem be played while the team was in the locker room.
~50 Unnamed members of the student body University of Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming	October 16, 1971 SOURCE	Remained seated during the national anthem. This protest took place on the second anniversary of the football game against Brigham Young University in which 14 University of Wyoming players were removed from the team by coach Lloyd Eaton because of the players’ intent to protest Mormon racism.
Sharo(n) Watson Creighton University Omaha, Nebraska	December 1971 SOURCE	Remained seated or left the floor during the during the national anthem. A student spokesman stated that the protest during the national anthem was “against the fact that those things the flag is supposed to stand for are not true in America for blacks.” After two games of leaving the floor during the national anthem, Creighton University vice president Thomas Burke informed the cheerleaders, that they had to either remain on the floor during the national anthem or resign/face suspension from the team. Six of the seven cheerleaders decided to resign. The cheerleading team was reinstated in 1973.
Unnamed members of the cheerleading squad and Student Body Creighton University Omaha, Nebraska	December 1971 SOURCE	Remained seated or left the floor during the during the national anthem. A student spokesman stated that the protest during the national anthem was “against the fact that those things the flag is supposed to stand for are not true in America for blacks.” After two games of leaving the floor during the national anthem, Creighton University vice president Thomas Burke informed the cheerleaders, that they had to either remain on the floor during the national anthem or resign/face suspension from the team. Six of the seven cheerleaders decided to resign. The cheerleading team was reinstated in 1973.
Wayne Collett 1972 Olympic Games Munich, Germany	September 7, 1972 SOURCE	Deliberately did not stand at attention during the national anthem in protest of racism in America. Collett noted that he could not with a clear conscience stand at attention during the anthem He said he could not do so because the anthem’s words were not true. He further noted that American has not lived up to its promise, and because the words in the national anthem were not being applied to the nation’s Black citizens. The International Olympic Committee barred Collett and Matthews, the silver and gold medal winners in the 400m, from participating in any more Olympic events. The IOC called their actions a “disgusting display.” This ban included the 4x400m relay in which the United States were gold medal favorites.
Vince Matthews 1972 Olympic Games Munich, Germany	September 7, 1972 SOURCE	Deliberately did not stand at attention during the national anthem in protest of racism in America. Collett noted that he could not with a clear conscience stand at attention during the anthem He said he could not do so because the anthem’s words were not true. He further noted that American has not lived up to its promise, and because the words in the national anthem were not being applied to the nation’s Black citizens. The International Olympic Committee barred Collett and Matthews, the silver and gold medal winners in the 400m, from participating in any more Olympic events. The IOC called their actions a “disgusting display.” This ban included the 4x400m relay in which the United States were gold medal favorites.
Randy Faison Dunbar High School Dayton, Ohio	June 1978 SOURCE	Refused to sing the national anthem during graduation rehearsal. While at graduation practice, Faison did not sing the anthem because he felt it “[did] not concern the Black people.” Consequently, Faison was precluded from participating in his high school graduation ceremony, for which he brought suit in federal district court.
Hardy Williams Los Angeles High School Los Angeles, California	1985 SOURCE	Turned his back to the flag during the national anthem in protest of racism in America. Williams stated that he protested because “It’s not true — ‘One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’ We all know it’s not liberty and justice for so many people in America. It’s not an even playing field. So if I were to do that, I would be cheating myself. I just cannot do it. I would die before I salute the flag to America.” Williams was fired as a result of his protest, but was reinstated
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf Denver Nuggets, National Basketball Association Various	1995-1996 SOURCE	Refused to stand for the national anthem. Abdul-Rauf stated that his religious beliefs as a Muslim precluded participation nationalistic acts such as standing for the national anthem. Abdul-Rauf also refused to stand in protest of racism in America, calling the flag a symbol of oppression and tyranny, stating “I look at the Caucasian American and I look at the African American being oppressed in this country and I don’t stand for that.” The applicable National Basketball Association rule required all players “to stand and line up in a dignified posture . . . during the playing of the American and/or Canadian national anthems.” Local talk radio shows learned of Abdul-Rauf’s protest, and the issue gained national attention. The NBA suspended Abdul-Rauf on March 12, 1996. He stood to lose over $31,707 per game if he continued in his refusal to stand for the national anthem. Abdul-Rauf appeared to be prepared to maintain his protest for the remainder of the season. Despite this dedication, on March 15, 1996 Abdul-Rauf did in fact reach an agreement with the NBA wherein he would stand during the national anthem with his hands in a praying posture.
Toni Smith Manhatanville College Harrison, New York	February 23, 2003 SOURCE	Turned back to the American flag during the national anthem in protest of inequities in America.
David West Golden State Warriors (National Basketball Assocation) Various	~2011	Stands behind teammates during the national anthem. Has engaged in a national anthem protest against racism for several years.