Raptors Players Lock Arms During US, Canadian National Anthems

Before Saturday's preseason game against the Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors players locked arms as the United States and Canadian national anthems played.

The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski shared a photo of the demonstration:

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Raptors, anthems pic.twitter.com/qszBJk7Vlj

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) October 1, 2016"

TSN's Josh Lewenberg posted a photo of the Raptors' coaching staff joining their players:

Many have wondered how NBA players would follow in the footsteps of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who first remained seated but then started taking a knee during the national anthem before NFL games.

Kaepernick explained the aims of his protest with NFL Media's Steve Wyche.

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," he said. "To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said the team was discussing ways to continue the movement Kaepernick started, per the Toronto Star's Chris O'Leary:

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We talked about it. It's going to be an ongoing conversation and I don't think there is an end date. I came through segregation, I know what it looks like. I know what people are upset about, I understand it. 

All I tell our guys is to be informed, be informed, do it from the heart, don't do it just for the sake of doing something or saying something.

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On Sept. 21, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association sent a joint memo to players about the best way to address the issue. In the memo, the two parties wrote that together they "have begun developing substantive ways for us to come together and take meaningful action," according to the Associated Press (via USA Today).