Civil rights group wants Kid Rock Detroit concerts cancelled

DETROIT (AP) — A civil rights organization is demanding the cancellation of concerts by Kid Rock at the new sports arena in Detroit, saying his criticism of NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick was a "dog whistle" to white supremacist groups.

National Action Network Detroit chapter president Charles Williams said his group will protest the concerts that start Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena.

Kaepernick, who is black, spurred controversy when as a member of the San Francisco 49ers he knelt during the national anthem. Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, used an expletive about Kaepernick during a concert last month.

Ilitch Holdings President Christopher Ilitch says he can't control "what any artist does or says." Ilitch Holdings owns the company that operates the arena.