Several news outlets, including Camden's Courier-Post and New Jersey's News 12, are reporting that the Catholic diocese of Camden, New Jersey, circulated an email Sept. 2 announcing that any student-athletes who kneel in protest during the National Anthem will be subject to a two-game suspension.
It also said further demonstrations would result in dismissal from the school attended.
The email comes as other student-athletes are refusing to stand for the anthem in a show of solidarity with San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the NFL player who in late August began sitting or kneeling during the anthem to call attention to what he sees as American racism and police brutality.
There are six high schools in the Camden diocese – Camden Catholic, Paul VI, Gloucester Catholic, St. Joseph, Wildwood Catholic and Holy Spirit. Superintendent Mary P. Boyle addressed the letter to school presidents, principals, athletic directors and coaches. "In light of the recent controversy regarding the NFL player’s refusal to stand for the National Anthem, I seek to clarify the position of the Office of Catholic Schools," Boyle wrote. "Our schools are founded on the teaching of respect and honor; respect and honor for God, country and duly appointed authority."
She went on:
It is expected that our administration and coaches as well as our athletes will show respect during prayer, pledges and the playing or singing of the National Anthem…We are not public institutions and free speech in all of its demonstrations, including protests is not a guaranteed right. Failure to demonstrate appropriate respect will result in suspension from play (2 games) or dismissal from the team for subsequent offenses.
Recently players at Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden and coach Preston Brown team knelt before a game against Highland as the anthem played. Saturday evening. The Camden City School District stood behind the protest as a form of free speech.
The district released a statement through spokesperson Brendan Lowe. “The District supports standing for the flag, but this is a personal issue, and we strongly respect our students’ experiences and their exercising our country’s First Amendment rights,” it read. “Whether our students choose to stand, kneel, or otherwise, we’re proud of their engagement with what is more broadly a very important social justice issue.”