Camden district issues statement on Woodrow Wilson anthem protest

The Camden school district has issued a statement on the actions of the Woodrow Wilson High School football team on Saturday.

Almost all of Woodrow Wilson's coaches and players took a knee during the national anthem before the season-opening game vs. Highland.

Woodrow Wilson, which is located on Federal Street in East Camden, is part of the Camden school district.

Woodrow Wilson coach Preston Brown said he took the action to raise awareness of "oppression" and "social injustice."

Brown said he told his players that he would kneel but that they made the decision to follow his lead.

Two Woodrow Wilson players, seniors Edwin Lopez and Tyler Parsons, stood during the anthem.

The statement, which was released by district spokesman Brendan Lowe, is as follows:

"The District supports standing for the flag, but this is a personal issue, and we strongly respect our students' experiences and their exercising our country's First Amendment rights. Whether our students choose to stand, kneel, or otherwise, we're proud of their engagement with what is more broadly a very important social justice issue."

-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com

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