FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) — An Arkansas senator called for a hold to be placed on the University of Arkansas’ budget on Friday (Nov. 4).
Arkansas Sen. Alan Clark, who serves District 13, said he called for the hold after hearing about six members of the Razorback women’s basketball team deciding to take a knee during the National Anthem on Thursday (Nov. 3).
Clark said he didn’t call for the hold as a protest against the women’s decision. Instead, he said he wanted to talk to the administration.
“I want to have a conversation with the university about the First Amendment and their policy on the First Amendment,” Clark said.
He said that he just wants to make sure that the university’s policy and protection of First Amendment rights applies to everyone equally. He said while the women are wearing the uniform, they represent the U of A, which is the largest government operation in the state.
“When people see you kneel, no matter what is in your heart, they’ll see the opposite of respect as disrespect — not the opposite of respect as protest,” Clark said. “Leadership could’ve led this in a different direction.”
He said he placed the hold after hearing about the protest last week. The hold will keep the University’s budget requests from moving forward during the next consideration period, until the senator’s concerns are addressed.
Clark said several other legislators reached out to the U of A, but so far, he said he hasn’t heard anything back.
On Monday, he also posted his concerns to Facebook.
