Republished September 27, 2017 - 1:13 PM
Original Publication Date September 27, 2017 - 9:26 AM
LANSING, Mich. - The Latest on the Michigan State Police director's criticism of NFL player protests (all times local):
12:20 p.m.
The 23-member Michigan Legislative Black Caucus is calling for the resignation of the Michigan State Police director for sharing a post on her Facebook page that called NFL players protesting during the national anthem "degenerates."
The group of lawmakers said Wednesday if Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue (EHT-choo') doesn't resign, then Gov. Rick Snyder should fire her.
Democratic Sen. Vincent Gregory, a former law enforcement officer, says police must be held to a "higher standard" and Etue has a "bias" against some citizens.
Etue has apologized, and Snyder's spokeswoman says he will not ask her to resign.
Some Republican senators are defending Etue and say NFL players who take a knee during the anthem are disrespecting military veterans.
6:05 a.m.
The director of the Michigan State Police has apologized for sharing a post on her Facebook page that called NFL players protesting during the national anthem "degenerates."
The message shared Sunday by Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue (EHT-choo') calls the players "millionaire ingrates who hate America and disrespect our armed forces and veterans." The posting signed "we the people" also calls the protesters "rich, entitled, ungrateful."
The post prompted calls from activists and others for her firing.
A statement from Etue late Tuesday said it was a mistake to share the post and she'll "continue my focus on unity."
The taking of a knee during the national anthem was started last year by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to draw attention to social inequality and police treatment of blacks.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017