Vice President Kamala Harris is facing backlash for her response during an unearthed 2016 interview regarding whether athletes should stand for the national anthem. The interview, conducted while Harris was serving as attorney general of California, touched on various topics including criminal justice reform, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the economy.
When asked directly if athletes should stand for the national anthem, Harris provided a response that focused on the principles of equality and freedoms protected by the Constitution. She emphasized the importance of Americans' rights to freedom of religion, association, and expression, without giving a clear stance on the issue of standing for the anthem.
The discussion around athletes kneeling during the national anthem gained prominence in 2016 when NFL player Colin Kaepernick initiated the protest against police brutality and racism. The movement spread to other sports leagues, with athletes like Megan Rapinoe and Bruce Maxwell also taking a knee during the anthem in subsequent years.
In 2020, following the death of George Floyd and amid widespread social justice protests, the act of kneeling during the anthem became more prevalent across various sports. This form of protest drew criticism from conservatives, including former President Trump, who condemned the politicization of sports.
Trump's remarks on athletes kneeling for the anthem and his views on the NBA's handling of the issue were met with mixed reactions. Meanwhile, Harris, after being elected senator, defended the athletes' right to protest peacefully, stating that such actions were protected under the Constitution as expressions of free speech.
Despite the controversy surrounding her 2016 interview response, Harris reiterated her support for individuals exercising their constitutional rights to call attention to injustice and demand recognition for their lives. She emphasized the importance of respecting differing perspectives on the national anthem and acknowledged the complexities of balancing patriotism with the right to protest.
