Lawmaker kneels on House floor to show support protests: 'I'll stand with America because I kneel

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) kneeled on the floor of the House of Representatives on Monday night to show her support for athletes protesting during the national anthem.

Jackson Lee, who is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, condemned President Donald Trump's comments that called a player engaging in NFL protests as a "son of a b***h" who should be fired.

During her speech, she got down on her own knee in solidarity with protesters.

What did she say about kneeling?

During her impassioned speech supporting the NFL protests, Jackson Lee said, "I kneel in honor of them."

"I kneel in front of the flag and on this floor," she continued. "I kneel in honor of the First Amendment. I kneel because the flag is a symbol of freedom."

Jackson Lee added, "I kneel because I'm going to stand against racism. I kneel because I will stand with those young men and I'll stand with our soldiers.

"And I'll stand with America because I kneel," she concluded.

What did she say about Trump?

Jackson Lee also addressed Trump's comments decrying the protests, saying, "I refuse to accept that as a standard of leadership for the highest office in the world and even if you never understand it, sir.

"We will continue to stand in the gap and racism is going to be under our foot," she continued. "And you know where else it's going to be? It’s going to be under our knee."

Describing the First Amendment, Jackson Lee said, "There is no basis in the First Amendment that says that you cannot kneel on the national anthem or in front of the flag. That is racism. You cannot deny it, you cannot run for it.

"You cannot abridge by standing up with tweets," Jackson Lee added.