Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly associated the Pinellas 912 Patriots' rally with the diner event. It has since been corrected.
TAMPA, Fla. - A flag-waving "Stand Up for America" is planned for Sunday afternoon ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers home game against the New York Giants.
Barbara Haselden, co-founder of the Tea Party-affiliate South Pinellas 912 Patriots is organizing the Tampa rally.
The group suggests people bring signs with messages including "Take a Knee ... Take a Hike," according to the Tampa Bay Times.
The rally comes after NFL players, including Bucs wide receivers Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson, took a knee during the national anthem last weekend.
Another event at Coney Island's Drive Inn in Brooksville welcomes people to bring NFL merchandise to burn in exchange for a free hot dog.
For decades, Americans have stood for the national anthem and then sat down for a ballgame.
Today the anthem is at the center of an angry national debate. Some believe the melody means respect for the fallen among our military and police. Others believe it means the entirety of the American experience.
Colin Kaepernick, then of the San Francisco 49ers, began a protest movement in the NFL last year that used the anthem as a moment of maximum impact to call attention to social injustice.
Last week, President Donald Trump made critical and profane remarks about the league and its players. In an interview with "Fox & Friends," Trump said most Americans agree with his attacks on protesting football players who kneel during the national anthem — and claims so do some NFL owners.
Since then, players from around the league have locked arms and kneeled during the national anthem.
The rally is set to take place at 1:30 p.m. Sunday outside of Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff between the Bucs and Giants is set for 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday. The game is on FOX.
USA Today contributed to this report
