A group of five cheerleaders at Georgia’s Kennesaw State University decided to take a knee during the National Anthem.
But now, they’re being booted off the field.
The cheerleaders dubbed the “Kennesaw Five,” will no longer be allowed on the field during the National Anthem.
Instead, if they want to take a knee, they’ll have to do so in the tunnel, out of view from the fans at 8,300-seat Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
One of the cheerleaders, Shlondra Young, claimed that the cheerleaders were “purposely hidden” by the university.
“I feel as though it was an attempt to silence us,” she said. “But even though they are moving us, we will not be silenced.”
Kennesaw State’s athletic department, however, said that the decision was made at a post-game meeting “to determine how best to enhance the game-day atmosphere,” but made no mention specifically of the protest.
But Neil Warren, who serves sheriff of Cobb County where the school calls home, said he was horrified to see the initial protest–and called Kennesaw State’s president Sam Olens to complain. Olens assured him the demonstrations would not happen again.
“My wife, Penny, had tears in her eyes, and we were both shocked to see such a lack of respect for our flag, our national anthem and the men and women that serve our nation,” the sheriff, who is a longtime booster of the university, told the local Marietta Daily Journal.
He added, “To witness these ill-informed students acting this way clearly tells me KSU needs to get busy educating these students on more than just passing their classes. They need to learn all that the flag truly represents.”
AAN Staff
The staff at American Action News are consummate professionals, who when not producing original, hard-hitting content, are scouring the internet to bring you the unfiltered news that matters to you! Our mission is to maximize your experience on our website. If we can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate to let us know!
