DOMINIC Raab has said the Black Lives Matter symbol of taking the knee “seems to be from Game of Thrones” and he would only do it for his wife and the Queen.
After premier league players took the knee as football returned to TV screen last night the Foreign Secretary said it was a symbol of “subjugation”.
He told TalkRadio: “I understand this sense of frustration and restlessness which is driving the Black Lives Matter movement.
“I’ve got to say on this taking the knee thing, I don’t know, maybe it’s got a broader history but it seems to be taken from Game of Thrones, feels to me like a symbol of subjugation and subordination.”
The Foreign Secretary said it was not a gesture of “liberation and emancipation but I understand people feel differently about it so it’s a matter of personal choice.”
When pressed on whether he would take the knee himself, he quipped: “I take the knee for two people, the Queen and the Mrs when I asked her to marry me.”
The gesture of taking the knee has been used as a symbol of the anti-racism rallies after football players in the US knelt down while the national anthem was being sung to protest police brutality and racism in 2016.
Police officers across the world have been seen taking the knee in support of the protests anti-racism rallying cry.
Mr Raab has since had to clarify his remarks: “To be clear: I have full respect for the Black Lives Matter movement and the issues driving them.”
At last night’s two premier league matches, players from Aston Villa, Sheffield United, Man City and Arsenal all took the knee in a powerful moment before the first games since lockdown kicked off.
In 2016, NFL player Colin Kaepernick remained seated while the national anthem was being sung.
Him and his teammate Eric Reid then began to kneel instead of standing in protest of police brutality.
Players across different NFL teams joined the silent protest.
Seattle Seahawks player Jeremy Lane said at the time: “It’s something I plan to keep on doing until justice is being served.”
Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer and deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner both took the knee in support of the movement.
One policeman outside Downing Street was also seen taking the knee as protesters gathered outside, demanding an end to racism in the UK and justice for the killing of George Floyd.
The phrase “bend the knee” was used widely in Game of Thrones – the fictional Queen of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen demanded her followers declare loyalty to her by kneeling before her.
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