there have been many explanations of the protest. One that the gloves are from the same pair, therefore the protest was one left and one right. They removed their shoes to protest the level of poverty America maintains among the African Americans, sadly a situation that persist to this day. They held their heads down for the shame American brings upon the greatest society since Imperial Rome, brings upon itself through the opression and pettiness of racial hate,

Not sure if I am correct but that is how it was explained to me some years ago. I watched this unfold in my livingroom and was very, very proud of these gentlemen. I am sure they suffered.

Also didn't the Olympic committee immediately have the athletes leave the Olympic village and return to the states.