Stevie Wonder took time out of his show at the Global Citizen Festival in New York City to address the recent controversy of NFL players protesting the national anthem due to police brutality and other civil rights issues.
Stevie Wonder just took a knee at the 2017 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park.
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) September 24, 2017
"Tonight, I'm taking a knee for America" pic.twitter.com/98Hwn0KXgU
Wonder took a knee during his show alongside his son Kwame Morris, telling the crowd, "Tonight, I’m taking a knee for America. But not just one knee; I’m taking both knees. Both knees in prayer for our planet, our future, our leaders of the world and our globe. Amen.”
Wonder didn't mention the president by name, but his actions were a clear shot at him after Trump ignited the debate again by telling a crowd of supporters in Alabama on Friday night that NFL owners should fire players who "disrespect" the flag, and even referred to them as a "son-of-a-bitch."
Tensions grew over the weekend as Trump fired out more tweets about athletes disrespecting the flag and NFL teams and owners denouncing Trump's divisive rhetoric.
In Detroit, Lions owner Martha Ford released a statement supporting the players of the Detroit Lions. During the national anthem on Sunday at Ford Field, local singer Rico Lavelle took a knee at the word "brave" as he was finishing up sining the anthem.
