Diocese To Students: No Kneeling, Protesting During Anthem

In a memo sent to its three high schools this week, the Diocese of Rockville Centre reiterated its policy that students and spectators at the game are not allowed to kneel during the national anthem.

The diocese sent the letter to its three schools to remind them of the policy in light of the NFL protests, and the strong reactions to them, that have been sweeping the nation this week.

"This is a reminder that all student athletes and spectators are expected to stand during the playing of the national anthem at school sporting events, without any gestures of demonstration or protest," the statement read. "This is long-standing school policy and applies equally to all participants and audiences at all school events, including those that are not sporting; for example, concerts and plays."

The diocese said that failure to follow the policy could result in "serious disciplinary action" for students.

The Diocese of Rockville Centre, which covers all of Long Island, only runs three high schools: Holy Trinity in Hicksville, St. John the Baptist in West Islip and McGann-Mercy in Riverhead. Other religious schools on Long Island are not controlled by the diocese.

Photo: Patch File Photo