NAACP backs Stephen Curry after Trump says he’s not welcome at White House

The NAACP spoke out in defense of NBA All-Star Stephen Curry on Saturday in response to President Trump declaring his invitation to the White House is “withdrawn.”

“A hero dissed by a …. fill in the blank #TakeAKnee,” the NAACP tweeted, linking to a story about Curry.

A hero dissed by a …. fill in the blank#TakeAKnee https://t.co/RI1YMvNEXK

— NAACP (@NAACP) September 23, 2017

Trump at a Friday rally for Alabama Senate candidate Luther Strange suggested NFL players should be fired for taking a knee rather than standing during the national anthem. 

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“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a b—- off the field right now,'” Trump said at the rally. 

Trump said in a tweet Saturday morning that Curry is no longer welcome at the White House after the player told reporters Friday that “I don’t want to go.”

The Golden State Warriors were expected to visit the White House in recognition of their championship win. 

“Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team.Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn!” Trump tweeted.

Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team.Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017

The president’s remarks drew criticism from other professional athletes including the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, who tweeted at the president that “Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!”

U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain’t going! So therefore ain’t no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!

— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017

Trump has previously bashed NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who infamously began to kneel during the performance of the national anthem during football games in protest of race relations with blacks in the U.S. 

Ben Jealous, the former head of the NAACP, said Saturday that NFL players like Colin Kaepernick should wear Trump’s attacks as a “badge of honor.”