Should Americans Be Penalized For Fighting To Stand During The National Anthem

Refusing to stand, such as kneeling and locking arms during the national anthem has quickly become a questionable action by Americans. President Donald Trump has recently released a statement on the topic explaining his thoughts, which are that Americans, especially professional football players, should be penalized for refusing to stand during the national anthem. All of this started when Colin Kaepernick, a famous NFL football player, refused to stand during the national anthem. Kaepernick’s argument was that he felt all of the freedoms and rights were not being upheld by America (discrimination, oppression, and police brutality). While some Americans may be angered and feel disrespected, those who are taking action have the right to do so, due to the first amendment.
If there is an amendment that states Americans have the right to protest, which the first amendment guarantees, I do not think Americans should be penalized for refusing to stand during the national anthem in the protest of discrimination, oppression, justice, and other rights and/or freedoms that are not supported by the United States of America. I am unsure if this protest is effective in bringing a change but it is effective in bringing attention for the change. I understand the fact that there are veterans and U.S. servicemen who risked and lost their lives for the right to be able to protest but some of those veterans and U.S. servicemen are beginning to protest with some the Americans who are refusing to stand during the national anthem. Some Americans are arguing that this protest is an unpatriotic act, while others are saying that the protest is showing respect to the American values instead of showing disrespect to anyone or