A man took a knee during the national anthem at President Trump’s “Celebration of America” event Tuesday amid renewed uproar over NFL protests during the song.
European reporters captured a photo and video of the unidentified individual kneeling during a performance of the national anthem.
Jesper Zølck, a reporter for TV2 in Denmark, tweeted a photo of the man. Zolck wrote that the individual left the event quickly after it ended, and did not want to speak to the media
Trump’s “Celebration of America” event lasted roughly 10 minutes. It featured renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” by the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus.
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The event was planned after Trump on Monday night abruptly disinvited the Philadelphia Eagles from attending a White House celebration amid reports that less than 10 players planned to attend.
The White House blamed the team for the cancellation, calling their intention to send a small delegation a “political stunt.”
While the expected small turnout was the root cause of the cancellation, Trump highlighted the team’s participation in national anthem protests, as well, igniting discussion over the controversial practice.
The president has frequently lashed out at the NFL for allowing players to protest during the national anthem without punishment, and prompted a new league policy requiring those on the field to stand during the song.
No Eagles players kneeled during the national anthem last season, but a few players raised their fists during the song prior to each game to raise awareness of social justice issues, such as police brutality.
Multiple players said after the Super Bowl that they would not attend the White House ceremony if they were invited.
Following the cancellation, some of those players, including Torrey Smith and Chris Long, criticized those who said the team’s decision was about national anthem protests.