COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Two weeks after a number of Kennesaw State University cheerleaders took a knee to protest police brutality during the national anthem at a football game, the entire squad was off the field at Saturday night's game.
Channel 2 Action News obtained video taken at a football game on Sept. 30 showing part of the squad kneeling during the national anthem.
The protest sparked criticism from several community leaders, including Cobb County Sheriff Neil Warren who, off camera, told Channel 2's Richard Elliot he agreed they had a right to protest but if they continued, he would stop participating in football games.
Elliot reached out to the cheerleaders but didn't hear back. But one cheerleader's brother did talk to him and said he's proud of his sister.
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"She thought it was inevitable for her not just to be someone who supported the moment on Twitter or social media in her heart, but also display her support for this movement," said Davante Lewis.
Elliot went to Kennesaw State's campus and asked several students what they thought about the game-time protest.
"Personally, I don’t think they should be allowed. I think there should be a rule against it," said student Calvin Ragsdale.
Student Tatiana Quarles thinks what they did was very brave.
"I think that it's very, very courageous of them to do that," Quarles said.
Channel 2 reached out to KSU officials for a statement.
They said only that they believe it's important to honor the national anthem but it’s equally important to respect First Amendment rights.