Thread by @SJohnsonWPR

The Wisconsin Senate is now debating a Black History Month resolution that sparked an intense debate in the Assembly yesterday. Republicans there objected to honoring former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. wpr.org/wisconsin-lawm…

The resolution being debated now, authored by @SenTaylor, includes Kaepernick, saying the Milwaukee native "has sought to raise attention to racial injustice and systemic oppression."

.@SenTaylor says Republicans typically not been involved in the annual Black History Month resolution, and have not objected. This year, she says, "We've been told that we have to have permission to determine who we want to honor for Black History Month."

"It's not political," Taylor says of including Kaepernick on the Black History Month resolution. "It's standing up for injustice."

.@SenTaylor on the Assembly vote to remove Kaepernick: "White Republicans told not only that body but this body and the entire country that a white Republican legislator ... that they're best suited to decide for Affrican Americans. What we should value. Who we should honor."

.@SenTaylor asks several Republicans to explain why they're removing @Kaepernick7 from the Black History Month resolution. They decline. "You object to a Negro having the audacity to speak up?" she asks. "What is it? I'd love to hear it from your mouth."

.@StateSenLaTonya and Taylor are the only African American lawmakers in the state Senate. Both are Democrats. @StateSenLaTonya: "Diversity is needed in this building on the other side." Says removing Kaepernick's name from the resolution is "degrading, insulting, infuriating."

A few hours later, the Senate is voting on the Black History Month resolution. No Republicans spoke on the plan. Senator Taylor spoke at length.

Her amendment to put Kaepernick's name back in the resolution is tabled on a party line vote.

The Senate is about to vote on the Assembly Black History Month resolution without Kaepernick's name. @SenTaylor says again that this is not what the Legislative Black Caucus wants. "Why would you want to force the Black Caucus on what to think or do? Why in 2019?"

The Wisconsin Senate has voted along party lines in favor of a Black History Month resolution that excludes Colin Kaepernick. All Republicans vote in favor, all Democrats vote against.

Senate Republicans Vote To Keep Colin Kaepernick's Name Off Black History Month Resolution wpr.org/node/1406501