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This White Navy Vet Grandpa Kneeled Before The National Anthem In Style

‘I came to support them to let them know somebody in the white community cares’

Remember the name Al Woolum. The Navy veteran and grandfather just showed white people, particularly military veterans, how they can show their support for the growing number of men and women around the country who are kneeling during the national anthem as a form of protest against police violence.


Woolum, who is white, heard how the girl’s volleyball team at DeSoto High-School had chosen to kneel before a game. Inspired by the gesture, he wore a Black Lives Matter t-shirt and showed up to the next game to join in their protest.

He described his decision in an interview, saying:

The decision they made to kneel at their last game, they caught a lot of flak for that. I saw that on the news. I looked when their next game was, and I came to support them to let them know somebody in the white community cares.

The gesture was picked up by journalist Shaun King, who tweeted about it:

The news spread quickly, with people offering their support of Woolum’s kind and supportive gesture.

At least one person even said he should run for Congress:

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