NEWARK -- Olivier Vernon has received plenty of feedback since he started kneeling during the national anthem before the Giants' game against the Eagles on Sept. 24. Most of the reaction has been negative for Vernon, who has been the only Giants player to kneel for the past two games.

"It's crazy how you get a lot of hateful comments, a lot of head shaking, a lot of eyes that are looking at you in disgust," Vernon said. "It's crazy how there's a lot of hate going on when you're just trying to do good for your community and for your country. It's very eye-opening."

Equally illuminating was the support Vernon received on Monday. Vernon, defensive tackle Damon Harrison, linebacker Mark Herzlich and practice squad offensive lineman Adam Bisnowaty spent Monday afternoon in Newark meeting with police officers and high school football players.

Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started kneeling during the national anthem last year to protest racism and the shootings of minorities by police officers. The Giants players rode around the city in a van with Mayor Ras Baraka and four members of the Bronze Shields, which is the African-American police officers' association within the Newark Police Department.

"It was a very honest conversation about policing, how involved it is and how challenging it is to be a police officer," said Sgt. Levi Holmes, who is the president of the Bronze Shields. "The whole taking a knee situation, we wanted to give a different spin on it because we understand that the popular police opinion is negative about people taking knees. We wanted to let them know that we don't feel that way. We understand that they're taking a knee to object to the different injustices that happen in the country."

Harrison knelt alongside Vernon and safety Landon Collins before the Eagles game, which was two days after President Donald Trump called for NFL owners to fire any "son of a bitch" that protested during the anthem. Harrison and Collins raised their right fists the next week, while both players ended their anthem demonstrations before Sunday's game against the Chargers.

"To be honest with you, I was scared," Harrison said. "I pride myself on being a man who stands up for what I believe in. (Sunday), I took the coward route and I didn't do what I felt was the right thing to do ... Out of respect for the New York Giants organization and my team, I just chose not to be a distraction. But it doesn't mean I don't hold those values that I held prior to (Sunday's) game."

Collins was unable to attend the gathering after spraining his ankle in Sunday's game. Linebacker Keenan Robinson, who has raised his fist during the anthem the past two weeks, did not attend Monday's meeting.

The contingent met at the Newark police headquarters command center and then visited the football teams at Central High and Weequahic High. The players and the police officers addressed the players and answered questions, before the Giants presented each school with a $10,000 donation for new equipment.

"A lot of times they see us in our uniforms and they don't get to see us outside of the field. And I think it's the same thing with the officers - they wanted to come and get to know the kids a little bit," Herzlich said. "As this is all swirling with the national anthem protests, it's important for us players to make it publicly known that we're not protesting against America, we're not protesting against our armed forces or the police. We just want equality. That's what our demonstration is about."

While Cowboys owner Jerry Jones vowed to bench any player that protests, Vernon said Giants owner John Mara, who has requested players to stand for the anthem, respects his decision to kneel. Vernon wouldn't commit to continuing his protest all season, but it doesn't sound like he plans to change his mind even as the only member of the team still kneeling during the anthem.

"Honestly, it's not tough when you feel like you're doing something that's right in your heart," Vernon said. "I feel like in my heart I'm doing the right thing. I believe what's right and what's wrong and what's fair and justice."

Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.