March 29, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

The “Take The Knee” Movement Reaches Local Council

In sports, games traditionally begin with a patriotic song like the “Star Spangled Banner” or “America the Beautiful,” during which players are expected to stand and salute. In schools and government meetings, students and officials are expected to do the same while reciting the pledge of allegiance. Ever since NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, previously of the San Francisco 49ers, decided to kneel in protest during an August 2016 game while the “Star Spangled Banner” played, a broader movement has spread across the country, now reaching the level of local governments and city councils across the U.S. Last week, New York City Councilmembers knelt outside City Hall to show their solidarity with the NFL players who continue to kneel in protest and recognition of the country’s history of racial violence. This week, West Hollywood City Councilmember Lauren Meister asked her Facebook followers if she and her fellow councilmembers should do the same at the start of a meeting on Monday, October 2, when the West Hollywood City Council would convene for one of its bimonthly meetings.

The post sparked a flurry of responses from West Hollywood citizens, all of whom felt strongly about one side of the argument or the other. Most commenters felt that “taking a knee” was the right thing to do. Others found the act disrespectful.

The discussion on Meister’s page was a microcosm of the discussion the entire country is partaking in when it comes to peaceful protest. On Monday’s meeting, the West Hollywood city council opted to stand for the pledge. When it comes to city council participation all over the states, time will tell whether or not the “take a knee” movement grows.

Related Posts

Skin Laundry Laser Focuses On Rejuvenating Skin

July 12, 2023

July 12, 2023

Facials don’t have to be invasive. That’s why Skin Laundry has taken a revolutionary approach to skincare technology, making the...

Homeless Initiative Meeting In West Hollywood

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood’s Homeless Initiative works to address homelessness with a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency, collaborative response. It’s estimated that...

WeHo Premieres the ‘Moving Image Media Art’ Exhibition Series

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood announces the premiere of the Moving Image Media Art (MIMA) program and the worldwide debut...

WeHo Spreads Word About Free Covid Testing

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood is reminding residents that free COVID-19 testing is available for them.  Demand for COVID-19 testing...

2022 ‘WeHo Reads’ Series Celebrates the ‘Road to Joy’

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood invites community members to celebrate literature and local authors with its 2022 WeHo Reads literary...

WeHo Urges Residents To Stay Alert Due To Recent Assaults

January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

The City of West Hollywood and West Hollywood’s Sheriff’s Station is offering tips to encourage public safety in the community. ...

Fare Collection Will Resume In West Hollywood

January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

Fare collection will resume on Metro buses on January 10, following suspension of fares during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City...

WeHo Rings In New Year With Virtual Drug and Alcohol-Free Annual #BOOM! Event

January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

The City of West Hollywood rung in the New Year with a virtual drug and alcohol-free annual #BOOM! Event.  This...

Attack in WeHo Leaves 5-Year Resident in Hospital

December 16, 2021

December 16, 2021

Matthew McGrath, a five-year resident of West Hollywood, spent two weeks in the hospital and underwent multiple surgeries after he...

WeHo Offers Sandbags To Help Residents With Heavy Rain

December 14, 2021

December 14, 2021

The City of West Hollywood is offering free sand-filled sandbags to West Hollywood residents and businesses as heavy rains fall...

Pride Poets’ Corner: Featuring Corey Saucier & the Dirge for 24 Hour Fitness

December 7, 2021

December 7, 2021

On November 30, 2020, the 24 Hour Fitness location in West Hollywood, which had been in the community for 25...

WeHo’s 31st Annual Toy & Food Drive

November 30, 2021

November 30, 2021

The City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station are partnering to help give back to those in...

WeHo Wins ‘Most Business-Friendly City Award’ from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation

November 30, 2021

November 30, 2021

The City of West Hollywood has been awarded the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s 2021 Most Business-Friendly City Award....

WeHo Commemorates Transgender Day of Remembrance 2021

November 30, 2021

November 30, 2021

The City of West Hollywood commemorated Transgender Day of Rememberance through a virtual event.  Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is...

TransGiving Dinner 2021

November 30, 2021

November 30, 2021

The 21st annual Trans-Giving Dinner was held on November 20th at the Unique Woman’s Coalition (UWC) in West Hollywood.  The...