NC Cub Scout breaks from pack, kneels during Pledge of Allegiance

DURHAM, N.C. — A 10-year-old boy from Durham is the talk of the town after he dropped to a knee Monday night during the Pledge of Allegiance at a city council meeting.

Liam Holmes is a Cub Scout. His troop was invited to lead the reciting of the pledge during Monday's meeting, which is when the boy broke from the pack and chose to kneel.

[Police: NC man shoots son on Thanksgiving after fight over kneeling NFL players]

Liam's father, Scott Holmes -- a civil rights activist, attorney and professor at NC Central University -- said he and his son have discussed racial inequality and he has told him that people sometimes take a knee to protest.

"What I did was took a knee against racial discrimination, which is basically when people are mean to other people of different colors," Liam told Channel 9's news partners, WTVD.

[ALSO READ: Panthers' Reid returns, kneels during national anthem]

Scott Holmes said his family members are Quakers and for religious reasons do not believe in taking oaths. He told WTVD he was both shocked by and proud of his son.

"So, we've talked about that sort of thing before," Scott Holmes said. "We never really talked much about, kind of, the racial inequality part of taking a knee beyond something religious. So we talked about it as we waited for the city council to gather.”

>> Reading this story in our app? The new "Follow the Lead" feature allows you to tap the blue tag indicated with a '+' to subscribe to alerts on the very latest stories from around the state. 

Scott Holmes said he did not want to pressure his son but wanted him to feel supported.

"I told him that it is just an idea and he should do whatever he feels comfortable with," Scott Holmes said. "Because I know how it can feel weird, awkward to do something different than other folks."

Durham Mayor Steve Schewel acknowledged the boy's actions and seemingly endorsed it.

"When I saw one of the boys take a knee, I was surprised but also was very respectful and appreciative of him expressing his conscience," Schewel said.

Liam's actions were well-received by the mayor, but others weren't as supportive.

"It just blew my mind that this was Cub Scouts and politics,” said Brandon Laroque, a lifelong Scout and veteran. “Part of the Scout oath is to God and your country. I understand people have the right to freedom of speech, I just don't understand why it has to be during the Pledge of Allegiance."

When asked what he'd say to people who didn't approve of what he did, Liam said, “Well, those people just don't listen."

Cox Media Group