Missouri State Senator Jamilah Nasheed Sits During Pledge Of Allegiance

Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, a St. Louis Democrat, joined the ranks of Colin Kaepernick and other athletes and entertainers on Wednesday when she sat during the pledge of allegiance. 

In a statement, Nasheed shared that she decided not to stand in solidarity with Kaepernick and others.

“It is because I love this country that I take this stand.”

She added, “The pledge of allegiance and the national anthem stand not just for what America is, but for what it should be.”

WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.

Nasheed’s protest was met with silence in the chamber, but Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder issued a statement calling Nasheed’s protest an “occasion for great sorrow” and worried about “the example she is setting, particularly for our young people.”

In her statement Nasheed added, “I am doing so not because of past transgressions by America, but to call attention to current injustices here in this state and country…Liberty and justice for all’ are not just words — they are our country’s ideals. We must commit ourselves to honoring those principles not just by speech, but also through our actions. This is why I, as a matter of conscience, chose not to stand today.”

While Kinder might not understand or agree with Nasheed’s protest, we couldn’t be prouder.