On Sunday, Vice President Mike Pence left the Indianapolis Colts game after several players from the San Francisco 49ers decided to kneel during the national anthem.
Pence took to Twitter to share his reason for leaving the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana earlier, despite attending the NFL game for his home team.
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“I left today’s Colts game because [POTUS] and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem,” Pence wrote in a series of tweets.
I left today’s Colts game because @POTUS and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem.
โ Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017
At a time when so many Americans are inspiring our nation with their courage, resolve, and resilience…
โ Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017
…now, more than ever, we should rally around our Flag and everything that unites us…
โ Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017
While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don’t think it’s too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem
โ Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017
MORE: VP Pence: “I donโt think itโs too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem.โ https://t.co/KEPUJR8Avx pic.twitter.com/1NE2yvLTTY
โ ABC News (@ABC) October 8, 2017
Fifteen players from the 49ers were seen kneeling during the anthem, protesting for racial inequality.
Pence has followed the president’s lead by disapproving of players who do not stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
In the last week, more than 30 players from the 49ers have kneeled in their first game since Trump called them out to be fired.
Controversy has been surrounding the league for weeks now after Trump suggested at an Alabama rally that players who kneel or sit for the national anthem stemming from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s stance on racial inequality being overlooked by society, should be fired.
“Get that son of a b—- off the field right now, out. He’s fired. He’s fired!” Trump said.
A growing number of current players and former players released statements condemning Trump’s remarks which infringe on what the ACLU states is an American’s right to a peaceful protest under the First Amendment.
“The right to join with fellow citizens in protest or peaceful assembly is critical to a functioning democracy and at the core of the First Amendment.”