Democrat Illinois House candidate Mary Beth Canty kneeled for the Star Spangled Banner and held up her fist in a gesture supporting the Marxist group Black Lives Matter.
That's according to a video obtained by North Cook News. It shows Canty kneeling behind a child in the first row of what sources say was a gymnastics tournament.
Republican Michele Hunter, Canty's opponent, said the video is documentary proof of her "radical" left-wing political views.
“It’s sad to see that this in our community and that the radical progressive politics of Canty have been hidden during this campaign. Canty is not the reasonable moderate she proclaims in her messaging and people need to know this before they vote,” Hunter said in a press release.
“I was raised to respect our country and our flag, reflecting my small-town Midwest Values and I believe those values better represent the people in the newly drawn 54th. With me what you see is what you get. I love our country and what our flag stands for. And I respect all who have served and given their lives on behalf of the freedoms the flag represents."
“It should never be too much to ask especially of an elected official to stand in reverence and respect of our country, flag, and anthem. What kind of example does that set for our children and grandchildren. As an elected official you take an oath of office that, in spirit, resembles the pledge of allegiance. Does that mean that she does not respect her oath of office. We are a free country to say and do just about anything we want. Mary Beth has spoken and now the voters have their chance to speak. I stand with the voters of the 54th District."
The district, which includes Prospect Heights, Arlington Heights, and Buffalo Grove, has been called “one to watch” and noted to be one of the few competitive races in the Illinois House this year.
Hunter has been vocal about her opposition to the Safe-T Act, set to take effect Jan. 1 which will see those awaiting trial for violent crimes to be released back into communities.
"The people I talk to in the 54th district deserve and expect political leaders to deliver basic public safety measures,” Hunter said. “They want to live peacefully, raise their families, and operate their businesses without the threat of violence and harm to themselves and their families.”
See screenshot from the video below.
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