Arkansas fire department fires employee after Facebook post suggesting anthem kneelers should be shot

A northeast Arkansas fire department fired an employee Tuesday over a Facebook post that said athletes who don't stand for the national anthem should be killed.

The post said that President Donald Trump should "post snipers at every game and each player that takes a knee or sits in the lockerroom" during the national anthem "should b shot in the head." The post said that people "out here protesting and makin idiots out of urselves" should also be shot.

A screenshot showed the post appeared under an account bearing the name Jonathan Marotti.

The Earle Fire Department said in a statement Tuesday morning that Jonathan Marotti, who had worked for the department for at least four years, had been fired from that agency.

Assistant Chief John Buford said Marotti had violated the agency's social media policy. The policy bans employees from posting anything that may reflect poorly on the department.

"You devalue human life by making a comment like that," Buford said.

The post appeared after players across the NFL kneeled during the national anthem this week in silent protest of racial injustice. Some teams stayed in locker rooms during the national anthem.

Several players said they kneeled in defiance to Trump, who had called on team owners to fire "son of bitch" players who protest during the anthem.

League officials widely condemned Trump's comments as divisive.

Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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