Jessica Sanchez took a knee after she finished singing the National Anthem at the Oakland Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers game on Sunday.
According to the Associated Press the singer knelt as she finished singing “home of the brave.” Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch was the only player to sit during the anthem. Sanchez says Lynch told her, “You did your thing girl.” Russell Okung of the Chargers raised his fist.
The American Idol season 11 runner-up told the AP that she supports players protesting police brutality and racial inequality and is upset that President Donald Trump has criticized players who have protested.
“I’m 100 percent for the message, as far as what the message has been behind everybody kneeling,” she said. “I still show my respect to the veterans, but I do disagree with what’s going on in the office.”
For the record, Jessica’s dad is a veteran. You may remember the singer discussing her dad’s service during one of her video packages on American Idol.
Afterward Jessica tweeted and spoke with her fans on Facebook live.
Jessica tweeted:
— Jessica Sanchez (@JessicaESanchez) October 16, 2017
When American Idol season 6 winner Jordin Sparks sang the anthem before the Cowboys v Cardinals game a few weeks ago, she had written “Proverbs 31:8-9” on hand so it was visible. The Bible verse reads: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
In Jessica’s Facebook live session, she talked about how crazy some of the comments were that she’s getting. In fact, if you go straight to her Facebook page, you’ll see the criticisms. “I don’t want to be quiet anymore,” she says about sharing her opinions on politics. “I hope you guys don’t see it as a disrespectful thing.”
Here’s a screenshot of a few comments:
So yeah. When The Voice alum Meghan Linsey took a knee during HER Anthem performance a few weeks ago, she said she received death threats.
So far, I haven’t been able to find video of Jessica’s anthem. If I find something, I’ll post it here.
UPDATE: The Raiders website posted Jessica’s anthem, but faded out the video before she knelt. Good grief. Click to watch.
Here’s a partial video taken from the stands that shows her kneel:
Watch @JessicaESanchez #TakeAKnee at the end of her national anthem performance at Raiders vs. Chargers in Oakland, CA. Credit: @_dantevic pic.twitter.com/tHo3Db0NJR
— jswaggernaut (@jswaggernaut) October 17, 2017
