Kennesaw State cheerleaders’ anthem protest sparks debate on campus & Cobb County

Five Kennesaw State University’s cheerleaders have drawn praise and criticism for their decision to take a knee during the national anthem at the football team’s last two games to draw attention to their concerns about police brutality and racial inequality.

The university’s athletics department decided a few days after the cheerleaders knelt for the first time that cheerleaders and band members will not be on the field when the anthem is played. Athletics department officials said the change is unrelated to the cheerleaders’ actions, but some are skeptical.

The cheerleaders say they'll continue to kneel during the anthem, but it will be in the stadium tunnel.