Christian watchdog group One Million Moms has sought support after the NFL decided to ban an American Vets (AMVETS) patriotic Super Bowl ad, which encouraged people to stand for the National Anthem.
The NFL commissioned the AMVETS to place an ad in the Super Bowl LII program, but because of the two-word message, "#PleaseStand" in the ad, the NFL gave it a no. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy explained to the Army Times that the advertisement program "is designed for fans to commemorate and celebrate the game, players, teams, and the Super Bowl."
He added, "It's never been a place for advertising that could be considered by some as a political statement."
But National Commander Marion Polk believes there was nothing politically incorrect about their message. In fact, their #PleaseStand ad was accepted by the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball in their all-star games' programs.
"It's a simple, polite request that represents the sentiment of our membership, particularly those whose missing or paralyzed limbs preclude standing," he stated in a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
"Freedom of speech works both ways. We respect the rights of those who choose to protest, as these rights are precisely what our members have fought – and in many cases died – for," Polk added. "But imposing corporate censorship to deny that same right to those veterans who have secured it for us all is reprehensible and totally beyond the pale."
For its part, 1MM sided with the AMVETS. "Rejecting an ad that simply encourages Americans to stand for the national anthem and our flag is an insult to every veteran who has served in our nation's military," they wrote in their petition.
"In the strongest possible terms, I urge you to stop the blatant hypocrisy and accept the patriotic ad by AMVETS as originally submitted," it added.
