Music legend, Stevie Wonder has shown solidarity with NFL players who were criticized by Donald Trump for kneeling on the field whenever the US national anthem was played during games.
Stevie Wonder was performing at the Global Citizens Festival in New York on Saturday night, when he suddenly told the crowd that he was “taking a knee for America.”
He was aided by his son Kwame Morris who helped him drop to one knee. Morris then emulated his father’s movement. Wonder then said, “Not just one knee, but both knees.” He then dropped the other knee and Morris in turn followed. “In prayer for our planet, our future, and leaders of our world…Our global brothers and sisters, I didn’t come here to preach, but I’m telling you, our spirits must be in the right place all the time,” he added.
WATCH: Stevie Wonder takes a knee on the stage “for America” at #GCFest https://t.co/lXIMO8fvcT https://t.co/qE97FFQmMH
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) September 24, 2017
Trump once again made controversial statements on Friday night at a rally on Alabama when he said “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!’”
“Taking the knee” during the playing of the national anthem, is a form of protest done by some NFL players to call out racial injustice.
But of course Trump did not stop his string of tirades with just the NFL. Later he withdrew an invitation for the the current NBA champions, Golden State Warriors from visiting the White House, a tradition that dates back to the Raegan era. In a tweet he wrote that he chose to do it because Stephen Curry of the Warriors was hesitating. Earlier on Friday, Curry had already stated that if it were up to him the Warriors wouldn’t go to the White House, but by then it was a team vote.
Trump’s temper tantrums towards athletes, received a swift backlash from sports stars in the NFL and the NBA.
Buffalo Bills running back, Lesean McCoy minced no word s and called Trump an a***ole.
It’s really sad man … our president is a asshole
— Lesean McCoy (@CutonDime25) September 23, 2017
Meanwhile Cleveland Cavaliers star, Lebron James referred to the President as a bum.
U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain’t going! So therefore ain’t no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement which reads “Divisive comments like ( Donald Trump’s) demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL.”
Regardless “Taking the Knee” seems to be spreading beyond the NFL as Stevie Wonder demonstrated. It has also spread to baseball as Oakland’s catcher Bruce Maxwell has chosen to do it a recent game.
VIDEO: Oakland A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell becomes first Major League Baseball player to take a knee during anthem pic.twitter.com/YBprRuY4ny
— Al Boe BREAKING NEWS (@AlBoeNEWS) September 24, 2017
They do have the right to express themselves after all.
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