Superintendent: I support Newark team’s decision to take a knee

NEWARK — Newark school superintendent Christopher Cerf said he supports the Barringer High School football team’s decision to take a knee before Friday’s game.

“I respect and support our students’ and educators’ right to peacefully convey their views. I hope that this action will spark a broader conversation about issues of social justice," Cerf said in a statement to NJ Advance Media of the decision by a handful of members of the Blue Bears.

Isaiah Gordon and Ibn Ingram organized the protest, which also included several coaches and spectators in the stands who stayed seated, according to the news organization. The seniors said they joined the kneeling protest started by San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kapernick following the shootings of Keith Scott in Charlotte and Terence Crutcher in Tulsa

Gordon told the news organization that the team's action “shows a stand that we’re together; that we’re standing together through all the obstacles. We might not know each other, but we're brothers. We're all going through the same things. We're going to ride together."

Five members of the Lakewood High School players raised their arms in protest this past weekend as well before the Piners' game with Jackson Liberty, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Coach L.J. Clark told the newspaper his staff preaches non-violence and said his team will stand and show respect for the flag.

"If they want to put their fists up, if that’s what they believe in, I’m OK with that," Clark told the paper.

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey told New Jersey 101.5 recently public school students are within their rights to take a knee or protest.

“Just like a school can’t force students to stand for the Pledge, they can’t can’t force students to express a particular viewpoint about the national anthem. It’s contrary to what our constitution is all about which is allowing citizens to engaged in all kinds of speech and discourse in public life.” the ACLU-NJ's Jeanne LoCicero said. “Peaceful expression, no matter how unpopular or controversial, can’t be censored.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.