Stevie Wonder Takes Both Knees ‘for America’ at Global Citizen Festival [VIDEO]
Soul icon Stevie Wonder took both knees in a show of solidarity with the NFL players who were criticized by President Donald Trump at an Alabama rally.
In his speech on Friday (Sept. 22), Trump slammed football players who “take a knee” during the national anthem. The president encouraged team owners to fire players who kneel during the national anthem.
In response to Trump’s remarks, Wonder with the help of his son, Kwame Wonder, took a knee onstage before his performance. “Tonight, I’m taking a knee for America,” Wonder said, dropping first to one knee and then the other. “Not just one knee, but both knees in prayer for our planet, our future, and leaders of our world.”
“Our global brothers and sisters, I didn’t come here to preach, but I’m telling you, our spirits must be in the right place all the time,” he added.
Today (Sept. 24), 15 new NFL players are planning to kneel or raise a fist during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice in the wake of President Trump’s remarks. Many people are hoping that all NFL players will take a knee during the national anthem in a show of solidarity.
Several sports stars have released statements criticizing Trump, including LeBron James, who called Trump a "bum" for withdrawing Golden State Warriors player Stephen Curry's invitation from visiting the White House.