Their actions became infamous – even if few remember that they had respectively won the gold and bronze medals in the 200-meter running event, while Smith had even won the race with a world-record time.
The moment in time was captured by photographer John Dominis and the protest became front page news around the world.
On Saturday, after placing third in the U.S.
“I feel like it was a set up.
She added that she felt it was disrespectful that the anthem was played given her past stance on the issue.
Despite an impressive career, Gwen Berry will certainly never likely to be a household name; as even in the world of track and field, hammer throwers are typically overshadowed by sprinters and long distance runners who may compete in multiple events.
Former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker took aim at Berry, tweeting, “What is wrong with people? Growing up, everyone stood for the American flag.
Many did stand by Berry and defended her right to protest, and that included former Republican Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh .
“Social media amplifies everything,” said technology analyst Roger Entner of Recon Analytics.
Schmidt, associate professor of political science at the University of New Haven.
“While I agree with progressives that that United States does not have a perfect record when it comes to racial discrimination – far from it – and many other deep seated problems in our society, we must never turn those past injustices into a blanket hate for America.