The silent protests sweeping the sidelines at NFL games just hit America’s heartland where it hurts: NASCAR.
Racing legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. spoke out on Twitter this morning, as news of the protests—and the president’s response—consumed headlines. But his statement wasn’t what you might have expected to come from the star of a sport largely embraced by blue-collar workers in red-voting states.
All Americans R granted rights 2 peaceful protests
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) September 25, 2017
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable-JFK
His tweet—a JFK quote supporting Americans’ right to peaceful protests—came just half an hour after President Donald Trump praised NASCAR for the opposite view. Retired racer Richard Petty and team owner Richard Childress had both made blunt statements over the weekend against any drivers who might attempt to protest, with the latter suggesting protesters should simply “Get you a ride on a Greyhound bus when the national anthem is over.”
So proud of NASCAR and its supporters and fans. They won’t put up with disrespecting our Country or our Flag – they said it loud and clear!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2017
Elsewhere on Twitter, one veteran spent the weekend pointing out America’s hypocrisy when it comes to disrespecting the stars and stripes. As of this writing, that thread had tallied 263,502 likes, compared to Earnhardt Jr.’s 122,000 and the president’s 98,000.
H/T Raw Story
