Doc Rivers says protests are one of the most patriotic things people can do

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers grew up with his father who is a police officer.

Rivers is familiar with both law enforcement and everyday citizens. He, like many others, has been disturbed by the trend of events that have taken place over the summer between police officers and black male citizens.

Chris Paul, LeBron James, and Carmelo Anthony have spoken out about mending fences at the ESPY awards, and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has his own form of protest by taking a knee during the national anthem.

What comes next is the NBA season, and the league will be collaborating on what they can all do to establish their form of protest as well.

Rivers told Dan Woike of the Orange County Register that he believes the players have every right to protest together and exercise their freedom of speech.

Listen, we need social change. If anyone wants to deny that, they just need to study the history of our country. I’ve said it 100 times. There’s no more American thing to do than to protest. It’s the most patriotic thing we can do. There are protests I like and protests I don’t like. It doesn’t matter…Protests are meant to start conversation. The conversation, you hope, leads to acknowledgement, and the acknowledgement leads to action. We’re, right now, still in the conversation.

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I hope we do it as a group. I know whenever you protest as one solid group, the protest has more teeth if you want to protest. I’m supporting our guys’ right to protest. I’m saying that up front. My hope is you believe it and do it for the right reasons and not just because it’s a hot topic on Instagram. I hope it’s in your heart and you believe in it. If it’s something in your heart, who am I to tell you not to stand up for what you think is morally right?