A photograph shows a Seattle Seahawks player burning an American flag.
A photograph shows a Seattle Seahawks player burning an American flag.
In September 2017, as the attention of the United States turned toÂ National Football League players who took to kneeling during the national anthem as a form of a protest against police brutality,Â a photograph purportedly showing a Seattle SeahawksÂ player burning an American flag in a locker room started making the usual outrage rounds: This image, posted by the â€œVets for Trumpâ€ Facebook page on 28 September 2017, has been digitally altered, but offered up as genuine. The original was taken by Seattle Seahawks photographer Rod Mar, and itÂ showed NFL player Michael Bennett performing aÂ â€œnow-traditional post-victory danceâ€ in the Seahawks locker room:Â Bennett has participated in pre-game protests, and onÂ 28 September 2017 he spoke at a CNN event about whatÂ he and the otherÂ NFL players hope to accomplish by kneeling during the anthem: < â€œI would like to challenge every American that is watching this show to treat people better,â€ said Bennett, speaking at a CNN town hall moderated by Anderson Cooper. â€œThat really is what itâ€™s about. Itâ€™s about treating people like human beings. Thatâ€™s the first step.â€ â€œThe changes start with the heart,â€ he continued. â€œThis is not a violent protest. This is a peaceful protest. We are challenging people spiritually, not physically, spiritually to change the way you have been doing. Change the culture.â€ > However, while Bennett has kneeled in protest and although he has appealed to change the culture, he has not burned an American flag to make his point.
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