LANSING, MI - Michigan State Police Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue shared a message on social media criticizing the NFL players' protests, calling them "degenerates" and "millionaire ingrates who hate America and disrespect our armed forces and veterans," according to The Associated Press.
Etue, who heads the statewide police department, shared the meme entitled "Dear NFL" on her Facebook page Sunday. It was a post widely shared on social media by those critical of hundreds of NFL players this past weekend who locked arms and/or kneeled during the pre-game playing of the national anthem. Some forms of the meme are calling for a boycott of the NFL until these silent gridiron protests end.
The form of protest was begun by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick last year. He used it as a way to call attention to social inequality and police treatment of blacks.
President Donald Trump slammed the take-a-knee protest last week in a speech, equating the protest with disrespect for the military and dishing out profanity at the players who practiced it. His remarks seemed to reveal a clear divide in the country over First Amendment rights.
An MSP spokesperson said Etue's Facebook post was not about race, the AP said.
Here is the text of the meme:
"Dear NFL: We will not support millionaire ingrates who hate America and disrespect our Armed Forces and Veterans. Who wins a football game has ZERO impact on our lives. Who fights for and defends our nation has every impact on our lives. We stand with the Heroes, not a bunch of rich, entitled, arrogant, ungrateful, anti-American, degenerates. Signed, We the people."
Some black troopers in her department were upset by the post, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Late Tuesday, Etue apologized for sharing the meme: "It was a mistake to share this message on Facebook and I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended," according an MSP social media post. "I will continue my focus on unity at the Michigan State Police and in communities across Michigan."
Attorney Leonard Mungo said the social media post represents "kind of a dangerous mindset" for someone's Etue's position.
Activist group Progress Michigan on Tuesday was calling for Etue's resignation over the controversy.
"When such a high-ranking member of law enforcement feels compelled to share such broad, inaccurate, and shameful comments, their judgment can no longer be trusted to help protect Michigan's diverse communities. Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue needs to step aside," said Lonnie Scott, the group's executive director.
"Let's set something straight: These protests are not about the flag or about veterans or the military, they are about speaking out against police brutality and injustice in communities of color across America. That is something that law enforcement should take to heart, not use to try to divide us further."