We’ve all heard about standing up for what you believe in, but what about kneeling? All across the country, there have been countless reports of people taking a stand (pun intended) and kneeling as a form of protest during The National Anthem. From your favorite quarterback to students in the student section, this rebellion has stirred up quite a controversy.

Kneeling during The National Anthem was first brought to our attention back in August of 2016, when the quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, Colin Kaepernick, announced that he would not be standing for the country’s anthem. This was his way of shedding light on police brutality against people of color and the injustices that still go on to this day. Since then, people all across the United States have participated in their own ways. From the NFL to the NHL, Tampa Bay Lightning forward, J.T. Brown stood and held his fist in the air during The National Anthem on October 7th, 2017. In 2016, several Auburn High School football players took a knee while everyone else stood before the flag.

Some argue that these forms of protest show disrespect to those who served and fought for our country. They see it as a way of disrespecting the United States flag.

I would argue that the people protesting are not against those who are serving or have served this country. If anything, they appreciate them, because, without them, they would not have the right to fight for what they believe in. Those who protest are simply against praising something that holds symbolic meaning about freedom when the oppression of people of color is still an issue.

According to the United States Code, title 36, chapter 10, section 171, “…all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart.” It says that you should stand, not that you have to stand. Whether you choose to protest or not, there is no denying what this country stands for, which is freedom.

President Donald Trump has spoken out and believes that NFL owners should fire players who kneel during The National Anthem and even encouraged fans to walk out if they feel like it. Following that, President Trump has praised Vice President Mike Pence via Twitter for stepping out of a Colts game after witnessing the players peacefully protest. Trump is the same man who jokingly took credit for the reason why a ceremonial song was played during an Air National Guard hangar in early October. Anyone who has served or knows of someone who has served should realize that during the playing of the symbolic song, it is considered respectful to be silent—which the president chose to ignore. It’s kind of hypocritical to preach about someone being disrespectful when you’re on the same side of that wall.

Even though the president doesn’t believe in Kaepernick’s protesting, citizens still do have the right to protest police brutality. This should not discourage individuals from expressing their rights under the First Amendment.