Tennessee GOP Lawmakers Want To Ban Student-Athletes From Kneeling Following ETSU Protest

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Sergio Martínez-Beltrán
February 23, 2021

Republican state senators want university athletes to be punished for protesting while at sporting events.

Every GOP member of the Tennessee Senate has signed a letter after the men’s basketball team at East Tennessee State University knelt during the national anthem.

State Sen. Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City, is one of the signees. During a hearing Monday, he said he supports the right of student athletes to protest, as long as it is during their free time.

“Most of us are thinking that when you are in that uniform and you are acting as an ambassador for the university and the state, there possibly is a line there that differentiates that freedom of speech,” Crowe said.

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Link to tweet

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https://wpln.org/post/tennessee-gop-lawmakers-want-to-ban-student-athletes-from-kneeling-following-etsu-protest/





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Yeah, no. You don't surrender your First Amendment rights the minute you put on a sports uniform. It's not the goddamned military. Plus, we can't have a university in Tennessee promote the idea of social justice, can we? They'd rather promote the lame lie that it's about "disrespecting the military" or "disrespecting the flag" although the way the terrorists treated the National Guard on January 6 proved they don't give a shit about the military if they interfere with treason.

[SouthernIrish]

1. I went to ETSU

I was proud of the team and the coach for doing this. Of course, any show of progress is viewed as unpatriotic and horrid by these state "leaders". I hate the political structure of this state.

[CottonBear]

2. The Tennessee Taliban strikes again.

I grew up in TN, although it’s not my home state. I’ve considered moving back to be near my mom and dear friends, but, with the Republican theocracy in place there, I can’t see living there.

I’m finally seeing change here in Georgia, and I want to keep the progress toward democratic government, fair elections, social justice and economic justice going forward for my child and all the children here in Georgia.

[Ohiogal]

3. I could see this happening in Ohio, too

All the pressing problems our states face — vaccine distribution, unemployment, people without food or medical care - and this is what our lawmakers prioritize. It’s sickening.

[sakabatou]

4. Once again, the GOP shows that they hate the First Amendment.

[dawg day]

5. The GOP is okay with kneeling...

As long as it is a cop kneeling on a person's neck.

[CurtEastPoint]

6. Well, let's move to TN as there are apparently NO PROBLEMS to deal with there.