Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Stevie Wonder takes a knee on stage in protest against Donald Trump's attack on NFL players

'Tonight, I’m taking a knee for America'

Jack Shepherd
Sunday 24 September 2017 04:19 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

On Saturday evening, Donald Trump launched a sensational attack on NFL players who kneeled during the national anthem, labelling them “sons of bitches”.

Various celebrities have been angered by the situation, including Stevie Wonder, who showed solidarity with those Trump criticised by taking a knee on stage.

“Tonight, I’m taking a knee for America,” the singer said on stage midway through his Global Citizens Festival slot in New York’s Central Park.

With help from his son Kwame Morris, Wonder knelt down on one knee before telling the audience, to much applause: “Not just one knee. I’m taking both knees.”

He added: “Both knees and prayer for “our planet, our future, our leaders of our world, and our globe. Amen”.

Over in the sporting world, Oakland baseball player Bruce Maxwell kneeled during the national anthem, becoming the first major league baseball player to take a knee.

Trump made the “sons of bitches” remark during a rally in Alabama, saying: “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!’”

The President continued: “You know, some owner is going to do that. He’s going to say, ‘That guy that disrespects our flag, he’s fired.’ And that owner, they don’t know it [but] they’ll be the most popular person in this country.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in