Democratic House hopeful Pramila Jayapal is backing NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's decision to protest the United States's treatment of minorities by refusing to stand for the national anthem.

During an interview with Sidewire, a public chat platform for experts to discuss politics, the congressional candidate from Washington state said she supported the San Francisco 49ers player's protest.

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"I respect what he did," she said.

"The beautiful thing about America is that we have the freedom to say what we believe. He is a very public figure who has decided to use his platform to highlight some of the injustices he sees."

Jayapal, a Washington lawmaker and former civil rights activist, was endorsed by former White House candidate Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersJacobin editor: Primarying Schumer would force him to fight Trump's SCOTUS nominee Trump campaign plays up Biden's skills ahead of Cleveland debate: 'He's actually quite good' Young voters backing Biden by 2:1 margin: poll MORE in her August Democratic primary, which she won. She'll face fellow Democrat Brady Walkinshaw, who finished second in the state's all-party primary, in the general election.

Kaepernick drew criticism from many conservatives for his decision, including from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBubba Wallace to be driver of Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin NASCAR team Graham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the election Southwest Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid MORE.

"I have followed it, and I think it’s personally not a good thing,” Trump said Monday during a radio interview.

“I think it’s a terrible thing, and you know, maybe he should find a country that works better for him. Let him try. It’s not gonna happen.”