White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki says President Joe Biden is respecting U.S. Olympian Gwen Berry’s “right to peacefully protest” after she was seen turning away from the American flag during the national anthem at the Olympic track and field trials.
During a White House press briefing on Monday, Psaki told reporters Biden respects Berry’s “right to peacefully protest,” adding, “A part of that pride in our country means recognizing there are moments where we, as a country, haven’t lived up to our highest ideals and it means respecting the right of people, granted to them in the Constitution, to peacefully protest.”
Watch part of the press briefing below:
Berry received backlash for her actions from Republicans, including Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
“Why does the Left hate America? Sure, we have our faults, but no nation in the history of the world has liberated more people from captivity, has lifted more out of poverty, has bled more for freedom, or has blessed more w/ abundance. God bless America,” Cruz tweeted.
Crenshaw said during an appearance on Fox News, “We don’t need any more activist athletes. She should be removed from the team. The entire point of the Olympic team is to represent the United States of America. That’s the entire point.”
He added, “It’s one thing when these NBA players do it … but now the Olympic team and it’s multiple cases of this. They should be removed. That should be the bare minimum requirement is that you believe in the country representing.”
Check out the video below:
Berry responded to Crenshaw’s comments in a tweet of her own, “At this point, y’all are obsessed with me.”
https://twitter.com/MzBerryThrows/status/1409522683642064909
She also said, “I never said I hated this country! People try to put words in my mouth but they can’t. That’s why I speak out. I LOVE MY PEOPLE.”
https://twitter.com/MzBerryThrows/status/1409381640334413825
The Olympic athlete told The Associated Press she felt the timing of the national anthem “was a set-up, and they did it on purpose.”
She continued, “I was pissed, to be honest.”
Berry claimed they were going to play the anthem before they walked out, “then they played it when we were out there.”
She added, “But I don’t really want to talk about the anthem because that’s not important. The anthem doesn’t speak for me. It never has.”
Berry also explained to the outlet her purpose and mission “is bigger than sports,” adding, “I’m here to represent those … who died due to systemic racism. That’s the important part. That’s why I’m going. That’s why I’m here today.”