Sports
08:54, 09-Oct-2017
Pence exits NFL game after players kneel during national anthem
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US Vice President Mike Pence walked out of a National Football League (NFL) game on
Sunday after several players knelt during the national anthem, a form of
demonstration that began last year in silent protest against police violence
toward racial minorities.
Pence was attending a game in his home state of Indiana between the Indianapolis
Colts and the San Francisco 49ers.
When the national anthem was played before the start of the game, some 49ers
knelt while some Colts, their arms locked, wore black T-shirts with the words
"We Will" on the front and "Stand for equality, justice, unity, respect,
dialogue, opportunity" on the back.
Indianapolis Colts kneel in the end zone before a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium. /Reuters Photo
Indianapolis Colts kneel in the end zone before a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium. /Reuters Photo
"I left today's Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any
event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem," Pence
said in a statement issued by the White House.
President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Sunday that he had asked Pence to
leave the stadium "if any player kneeled, disrespecting our country."
Neither the White House nor Pence's office responded to requests for comment
about whether the White House had planned Pence's departure in advance. NFL
spokesman Brian McCarthy declined to comment.
Vice President Mike Pence explained why he left the game via the VP's official Twitter account. /Photo via Twitter
Vice President Mike Pence explained why he left the game via the VP's official Twitter account. /Photo via Twitter
The First Amendment of the US Constitution bars the government from limiting
free speech, including prohibiting protests of the national anthem or punishing
people who choose not to stand.
Less than an hour after issuing Pence's statement, the White House released a
picture of him and his wife at the stadium where the game took place, standing
with hands over their hearts during the performance of the national anthem.
Trump’s criticism of the NFL players has played well with his conservative base
while he grapples with controversies over Iran and DPRK, an investigation
of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and policy struggles in Congress.
Pence's team Indianapolis defeated San Francisco, 26-23, in overtime.
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Source(s): Reuters