Four Airmen Suspended For Kneeling During National Anthem At Howard University Is Fake News

Four airmen being suspended for participating in an anti-American display at Howard University is fake news. The story contains inaccuracies in reporting that four airmen joined cheerleaders at Howard University in protesting during the National Anthem and then were suspended.

Last year, NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial inequality. Over the season, other players joined his protest by kneeling, sitting or raising their fists during the anthem. While Kaepernick is no longer employed with a team, other NFL players have continued to protest during the anthem. President Donald Trump has even involved himself.

Where did this fake news originate? Freedum Junkshun published the fake news article reporting that the four airmen were suspended when they joined cheerleaders in kneeling as a form of protest for social injustice during the National Anthem at Howard University. You can read the fake news below.

On Thursday, black Howard University cheerleaders showed how much they hate America by kneeling during the National Anthem, and they were joined by some special guests: four members of the Air Force R.O.T.C.

“We ask that you please rise as we honor the United States of America,” the announcer said. This was the last thing that would be done to “honor” America on Thursday night.

The university’s “Showtime” band played the Star Spangled Banner as the cheerleaders did this:

(image omitted)

The R.O.T.C members joined the cheerleaders in kneeling, showing complete and utter disregard for the country they are supposed to be serving.

However, the above story is fake news, according to Hoax Alert. The above story actually uses a bit of true news but adds additional information that is false as means to stir debate in the National Anthem controversy involving NFL players taking a knee during the National Anthem.

The image used is real and was actually included as part of a New York Times article titled “Howard Cheerleaders Add Voices to the Anthem Debate by Taking a Knee.” The New York Times reported on the cheerleaders’ kneeling but there was no mention of any R.O.T.C. members taking a knee.

WASHINGTON — A few minutes before kickoff last Saturday at Howard University’s Greene Stadium — about two miles from the White House — the public address announcer said, “We ask that you please rise as we honor the United States of America.” At the 50-yard-line, four members of the Air Force R.O.T.C. presented the colors.

But when the university’s “Showtime” marching band played “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Howard’s cheerleaders, who were lined up at one end zone, did not heed the request. They were kneeling.

Rather, the R.O.T.C members are described as presenting the colors. Howard University is a federally chartered, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university in Washington, D.C. Here is an example of someone sharing the fake news on social media.

https://t.co/CaQeOHDbTn Four airmen suspended over anti American behavior.

— Britt Woo (@brittswoo) October 13, 2017

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What did you think about the fake news that four airmen were suspended for participating in an anti-American display at Howard University? Did you believe the fake news or see people sharing it falsely on social media? Let us know in the comments section.

Source: B2C