Indiana lawmaker Rep. Milo Smith, R-Columbus, is pushing a bill that would force the Indianapolis Colts to offer refunds to any ticket purchasers who are offended by a member of the team kneeling during the national anthem, according to Justin L. Mack and Kaitlin L. Lange of The Indianapolis Star.
Smith says fans who feel disrespected by the kneeling should be able to ask for a refund during the first quarter of any game.
"To me when they take a knee during the national anthem, it’s not respecting the national anthem or our country," Smith said. "Our government isn’t perfect, but it's still the best country in the world and I think we need to be respectful of it."
Smith's bill wouldn't require the Colts to issue refunds if it's the visiting team enacting the protest.
Vice President Mike Pence walked out of a game in October when the visiting San Francisco 49ers took part in a team demonstration with 23 players kneeling during the anthem.
The executive director of ACLU Indiana, Jane Henegar, said Smith's bill could be a constitutional violation.
"In effect by passing the law, government would be weighing in ... and fining political speech by the Indianapolis Colts," Henegar said. "It seems like the worst thing that could happen is government weighing in and trying to control in any direction the political speech of private actors."
Smith responded by noting his bill doesn't prohibit players from taking a knee.
