SACRAMENTO (KTXL) -- A group of local military veterans are standing in solidarity with those who have chosen to protest during the National Anthem.

"I hope it takes some of the sting out of it for those who say its unpatriotic to take a knee," said the president of Vets for Peace John Reiger.

They did so by taking a knee themselves during the Pledge of Allegiance at Tuesday's Sacramento City Council meeting.

RELATED: Veterans kneel during pledge to show solidarity with protesters

3 PHOTOS Veterans kneel during pledge to show solidarity with protesters See Gallery Veterans kneel during pledge to show solidarity with protesters A group of Northern California military veterans are standing in solidarity with those who have chosen to protest during the National Anthem. A group of Northern California military veterans are standing in solidarity with those who have chosen to protest during the National Anthem. A group of Northern California military veterans are standing in solidarity with those who have chosen to protest during the National Anthem. Up Next See Gallery Discover More Like This HIDE CAPTION SHOW CAPTION of SEE ALL BACK TO SLIDE

Those who knelt say they wanted to prove that there are people who fought for this country but also support kneeling as a patriotic protest against social injustices.

"I took an oath to protect the rights of others to freedom of oppression," said Major Renee Marie. "And so I come here today to celebrate the right to stand and the right to take a knee in the platform that a person chooses as long as its nonviolent."