Article snippet: Stevie Wonder took a knee on Saturday ahead of his performance at the 2017 Global Citizen Festival in New York after President Trump blasted athletes who participated in the form of protest. "Tonight, I'm taking a knee for America," the musician, whose real name is Stevland Hardaway Morris, said. "But not just one, knee. I'm taking both knees," he added, getting down on both knees. "Both knees, and prayer for our planet, our future, our leaders of the world." Trump on Friday fiercely criticized NFL players and other athletes who protest the national anthem at sporting events, saying that those who do so should be fired – an argument he doubled down on in a tweet on Saturday. The comments were an apparent swipe at athletes, like NFL free agent Colin Kaepernick, who gained attention last year when he began kneeling during the national anthem before football games to protest racial injustice and police misconduct. Trump has faced backlash from some NFL players and executives, who have asserted athletes' rights to speak freely. The Hill 1625 K Street, NW Suite 900 Washington DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 tel | 202-628-8503 fax The contents of this site are ©2017 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc. Link to the full article to read more