Stevie Wonder Takes Both Knees On Stage In Response To Trump's Anti-protest Anthem Comments

Legendary artist Stevie Wonder responded to comments made by US President Donald Trump about those who have protested the country's national anthem this weekend, by taking both knees on stage during his show in New York. 

As Fairfax reports, while performing at the Global Citizen Festival on Saturday, the 67-year-old songwriter said he was "taking a knee for America".

"But not just one knee. I'm taking both knees. Both knees in prayer for our planet, our future, our leaders of the world and our globe. Amen."

Watch below.

The move comes after Trump slammed anti-anthem protesters during a rally in Alabama, specifically some NFL players who have taken a knee while the national anthem is played before matches. 

"Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, 'Get that son of a bitch off the field right now," Trump said at the rally.

"Out. He's fired. He's fired!"

Trump's comments resulted in a number of different reactions from NFL players during games on Sunday.

As noted by TMZ, an estimated 20 players from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens kneeled together while the anthem played before their game in London, while the Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans announced they would not take to the field pre-anthem.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs was one of many who also blasted Trump's comments, with the rapper calling on NFL players to "represent us".

"I just want to send some blessings and support to all the players in the NFL… You have a chance to do something really great tomorrow," Combs tweeted prior to the Sunday matches. 

"It has nothing to do with football or business. Ya'll are our stars, you represent us. Ya’ll are our strong heros… show that strength please."

I just want to send some blessings and support to all the players in the NFL... You have a chance to do something really great tomorrow.

— Sean Diddy Combs (@diddy) September 23, 2017

If you do whatever you do in unity, you can’t be stopped.

— Sean Diddy Combs (@diddy) September 23, 2017

Do the math, stick together, stand up for each other, ride with each other. Believe me, we’re all we got.

— Sean Diddy Combs (@diddy) September 23, 2017

It has nothing to do with football or business. Ya’ll are our stars, you represent us. Ya’ll are our strong heros..show that strength please

— Sean Diddy Combs (@diddy) September 23, 2017

Trump has since doubled down on his comments following the response by NFL teams, saying that the league should change its policy. 

The President tweeted today, "Sports fans should never condone players that do not stand proud for their National Anthem or their country".

Sports fans should never condone players that do not stand proud for their National Anthem or their Country. NFL should change policy!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017