Pearland middle schooler protests pledge of allegiance, following NFL players

Skyla Madria, a fifth grader at Alexander Middle School in Pearland, is protesting the Pledge of Allegiance in September, 2016. Madria told KHOU that she's protesting the "Star Spangled Banner" because it was written by Francis Scott Key, a slave owner. Click through the slideshow to see how NFL players react to 49ers' quarterback Colin Kaepernick protesting the national anthem. less Skyla Madria, a fifth grader at Alexander Middle School in Pearland, is protesting the Pledge of Allegiance in September, 2016. Madria told KHOU that she's protesting the "Star Spangled Banner" because it was ... more Photo: Google Street View Photo: Google Street View Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close Pearland middle schooler protests pledge of allegiance, following NFL players 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

A fifth-grade student in Pearland is following in the steps of 49ers' quarterback Colin Kaepernick by protesting the Pledge of Allegiance.

According to news station KHOU, Skyla Madria, 10, said she won't stand for the Pledge of Allegiance or "The Star-Spangled Banner" after leaning the anthem was written by Francis Scott Key, a slave owner. She also said she's protesting because of a rarely sung verse of the national anthem that refers to slavery.

READ MORE: 49ers' Colin Kaepernick explains refusal to stand for national anthem

The lines of "The Star-Spangled Banner" that refer to slaves are, "No refuge could save the hireling and slave / From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave."

Madria told KHOU she's knelt during the Pledge of Allegiance three times in the last two weeks and was sent to the principal's office by a coach. Madria claims the principal called her mother, Elizabeth Owens, and "called me disgusting for not standing up."

Owens told KHOU that she supports her daughter's protest and doesn't believe she's doing anything wrong.

READ MORE: League City cigar lounge goes viral with response to Colin Kaepernick Protest

Pearland Independent School District released a statement saying that Madria was not touched or disciplined in any way.

Following NFL's Kaepernick's example, a Pearland middle schooler chose not to stand during pledge at school #KHOU11 pic.twitter.com/ZOVNLDRvc7 — Stephanie Whitfield (@KHOUStephanie) September 14, 2016

"When Pearland ISD Superintendent Dr. John Kelly learned of the situation, he determined that students may, by Texas law, opt out of reciting the pledge based on their parents' consent."

Owens told KHOU that she intends to turn in her written consent to allow Madria to opt out of the pledge of allegiance.

READ MORE: 'South Park' perfectly trolls us all with Colin Kaepernick-national anthem promo



Kaepernick told the NFL Network he refused to "stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppressed black people and people of color."

Kaepernick's protest of the national anthem has spread from California to other states with NFL teams. Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters raised his fists in the air during the national anthem Sunday in Kansas City against the San Diego Chargers. His teammates locked arms during the song.

That same day, four Miami Dolphins players took a knee during the anthem. Seattle Seahawks players locked arms before their game.

READ MORE: Ted Cruz calls for boycott of all protesting athletes

NFL teams encourage their players to stand during the national anthem but also respect their right to protest.

"The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony," the 49ers said in a statement. "It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem."

As for the "The Star-Spangled Banner" referring to slaves, there is some discrepancy as to what Key meant by the verse.

READ MORE: AP Explains: Why national anthem is patriotism, protest icon

An article on the news site The Intercept argues the anthem is a celebration of slavery, noting that Key was "taking great satisfaction in the death of slaves who'd freed themselves. His perspective may have been affected by the fact he owned several slaves himself."

American-Historama.org, a U.S. history website for kids, says Key's reference about slaves is, "a direct reference to the British practice of Impressment (kidnapping American seamen and forcing them into service on British man-of-war ships).

Good grief.The "hireling slave" mentioned in 3rd verse of our Anthem is not about slaves at all but British fighters pic.twitter.com/1QkX82Mfdw — Kathleen McKinley (@KatMcKinley) August 30, 2016

The fact-checking site Snopes points out that some historians see Key's reference to slaves in "The Star-Spangled Banner" paying homage to American soldiers defeating the Corps of Colonial Marines, a unit of black slaves the British recruited in the early 1800's by promising their freedom.