The starting lineup for the German soccer club Hertha Berlin took a knee on the field before a game on Saturday, in what appeared to be a nod to American football teams that have clashed with President Trump over protesting the national anthem.
The soccer club’s Twitter account tweeted that the protest was “for a tolerant Berlin and an open-minded world, now and forevermore!”
Hertha BSC stands for tolerance and responsibility! For a tolerant Berlin and an open-minded world, now and forevermore! #TakeAKnee #hahohe pic.twitter.com/spZvRSGVxQ
— Hertha Berlin (@HerthaBSC_EN) October 14, 2017
The demonstration comes after NFL football evoked the ire of President Trump for taking a knee to protest racial inequality. The trend of protests started last year with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Trump said during a rally last month that the “sons of bitches” that kneel during the anthem should be fired. The remarks prompted several owners to join players to show solidarity on the field a couple days later.
Vice President Mike Pence reignited the controversy after he left an Indianapolis Colts game last week early because of when 49ers players took a knee during the national anthem. Trump later said he directed the vice president to leave if there were protests. Some critics speculated that the move might have been a political stunt, but the White House said Pence’s trip to the game was planned several weeks in advance.
