Kneeling during the national anthem is a form of protest against perceived injustices in the United States. The protest began in August 2016 when some American athletes started kneeling on one knee while the U.S. national anthem was played. The protest was started by Colin Kaepernick, a San Francisco 49ers quarterback, to call attention to the issues of racial inequality and police brutality in the United States. The protest has since been adopted by other professional football players, high school athletes, and professional athletes in other sports. The protest has generated controversy and sparked a public conversation about the protesters’ messages and how they’ve chosen to deliver them.
The intended meaning of the national anthem is widely divided among the people of the United States. Some believe it salutes military and police officers who have died on duty, while for others, it honors the United States generally. Kneeling during the national anthem is a demonstration of reverence, submissiveness, and deference, in contrast with the interpretation that kneeling is offensive to those who are honored by the anthem. Kaepernick has said on numerous occasions that the sole purpose of kneeling during the national anthem is not to disrespect the military personnel at all, but rather to use his social platform to bring topics regarding police brutality and oppression of people of color to light.
Kneeling during the national anthem is a legal form of peaceful protest, which is a First Amendment right. It is considered political speech, which is the most protected form of speech under the First Amendment. As long as the protest is not causing a substantial disruption to the game, kneeling during the anthem is protected by the First Amendment.
