Acclaimed musician Stevie Wonder took both knees during the Global Citizen Festival on Sunday to express solidarity with the NFL player protests against President Donald Trump.
"Tonight, I'm taking a knee for America," Wonder told a cheering audience before dropping to first one, then both knees. The former child prodigy then added that he was praying "for our planet, our future, our leaders of the world and our globe. Amen."
Stevie Wonder just took a knee at the 2017 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park.
"Tonight, I'm taking a knee for America" pic.twitter.com/98Hwn0KXgU
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) September 24, 2017
Not surprisingly, Wonder's actions were met with mixed reviews by Twitter followers.
Sen. John McCain of Arizona either didn't hear about Wonder's protest or chose not to mention it, instead thanking the musician for including a shout out to him during the concert.
Thanks for the shoutout last night Stevie Wonder! pic.twitter.com/hxgTh6rJFb
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) September 24, 2017
Meanwhile Rep. Joe Walsh of Illinois insulted Wonder with a racially-charged comment.
Stevie Wonder takes a knee for the Anthem during a concert. Another ungrateful black multi millionaire. https://t.co/bpvuGJXLd7 — Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) September 24, 2017
Former FBI operative Naveed Jamali didn't mince words in calling out Walsh's racism.
You're a bigot because you called Stevie Wonder an "ungrateful black millionaire." https://t.co/LPLmtodsJA
— Naveed Jamali (@NaveedAJamali) September 24, 2017
Stevie Wonder is a legend, and the only Joe Walsh history will care about is the also legendary Eagles guitarist. https://t.co/xlDAaX6XUe
— Natalie Finn (@natfinnonE) September 24, 2017
Stevie Wonder is a goddamn genius who wrote many classic songs. Another ungrateful white asshole with no taste. https://t.co/putYAA8Aq4
— Amanda Marcotte (@AmandaMarcotte) September 24, 2017
Shares