National Football League

Diocese warns students: Don't kneel during national anthem

Published Sep. 28, 2017 5:15 p.m. ET

MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) Kneeling in church? Still OK. During the national anthem? You'd better not.

A Roman Catholic diocese in suburban New York has issued a warning to its three high schools that students and spectators cannot kneel or otherwise protest when the national anthem is played before games and other school events.

Newsday reports the Diocese of Rockville Centre sent out the directive this week. The diocese says it has a long-standing policy against protests during the anthem.

Spokesman Sean Dolan says violators would be disciplined on a case-by-case basis.

The reminder comes amid the national debate over NFL players kneeling during the national anthem to protest police killings of unarmed black people and other racial and social injustices.

President Donald Trump says the protesters are disrespectful and has called for them to be fired.

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Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com