Molly Molthan 10/8/17

Pence Leaves Colts Game After Protests During Anthem

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/08/politics/vice-president-mike-pence-nfl-protest/index.html

Mike Pence, the Vice President of the United States, left an NFL game on Sunday after some players knelt during the National Anthem.  Pence attended the game between the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers with his wife, Karen at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Indiana is Pence’s home state and he and his wife wore Colts shirts to the game.  However, Pence exited the stadium before the game got underway, stating that he did not agree with the decision of several 49ers players to kneel during the National Anthem.  After the exit, President Trump stated that he asked the Vice President to leave if any players choose to disrespect the flag and our country by kneeling during the Anthem.  This walkout comes after repeated requests by Trump to boycott the NFL if the league does not punish players who protest the National Anthem.  Critics of Pence’s actions believe that the exit was a planned PR stunt that was done to make a point about the Administration’s disapproval of recent NFL protests surrounding the National Anthem. Such protests began when 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, knelt during the anthem last season to draw attention to racial injustice and police brutality in the United States.  His protest has gained momentum and created a firestorm particularly between NFL players and the Trump Administration who vehemently opposes such acts of protest.  Today’s events draw further attention to this ongoing feud.

This affects American history because it pertains to the First Amendment and the right to have freedom of speech and peaceful protest in our country.  The protests have escalated to a divisive issue and call into question whether football games are an inappropriate place to engage in political protest, and that not standing for the national anthem shows disrespect for the country and those who proudly support it, some with their lives.  This type of protest doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon and is now being seen across other sports as well.  Our country is one of many freedoms and while many oppose this type of protest, it is a right that any American has to be able to speak or show opinions in a peaceful manner.