ATLANTA (AP) – A Georgia university which moved its football cheerleaders inside a stadium tunnel after a group of black cheer squad members knelt during the national anthem has decided to let them again take the field during pre-game ceremonies.
This time, it will be at a game where military members are honored.
In a letter to students and faculty, Kennesaw State University President Sam Olens said Wednesday that freedom of speech must be protected.
Olens added that the cheer squad will be allowed on field before the national anthem at the game Saturday, which is Veterans Day in the U.S. The game at Kennesaw State’s 8,300-seat Fifth Third Bank Stadium is also being promoted as Military Appreciation Day.
Five cheerleaders had taken a knee during the anthem to protest U.S. racial inequality at a Sept. 30 game, prompting a barrage of emails and calls from furious school boosters and alumni. They said they took their action after seeing similar protests by some NFL players.