To stand or to kneel during the National Anthem is a debatable topic. Many say that kneeling is a peaceful form of protest, while others claim it is disrespectful to the American flag and the ones who died for that flag.

“They have the right to do it, but it’s disrespectful to those who fought for the flag,” Alex Stone, senior on the football varsity team said. “It is their right, but it’s still offensive to many.”

The message behind kneeling is supposed to protest police brutality and racial inequality.

“I think they’re just standing up for what they believe in. Their views [on racial inequality] aren’t being shown and they just want their voices to be heard,” sophomore Kayla Minor said. She is a member of the Kennedy soccer team.

Many NFL athletes are participating in this form of protest, despite President Trump’s outrage. However, there is nothing in the NFL guidelines that prohibits protesting during the national anthem.

“I think they’re trying to say that the US doesn’t support minorities,” Stone said.

“I think that it’s really rude because it’s like you don’t respect our country,” Anna Cater, sophomore on the Kennedy Swimming and Diving team, said. “You could at least stand up, people died [for the flag].”

Some students are aware of both sides, and while they support or are against it, they respect the opposing side.

“I support the people who do that, but I would never be able to,” Cater said.

“Freedom of speech is a right we have,” Minor said.