Connecticut official protesting Trump takes a knee during Pledge of Allegiance

A town official in Connecticut who has spoken out against President Trump faced boos after taking a knee during the Pledge of Allegiance at a community meeting on Monday.

Melissa Schlag, a Democratic selectwoman in Haddam, Conn., took a knee as a part of a “silent protest” starting earlier this month against Trump’s controversial summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his immigration policies, The Associated Press reported.

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‘‘I appreciate everyone coming out because this is truly town government at its best,’’ Schlag said Monday after the latest demonstration, according to the AP. ‘‘We need to continue the conversation or hate will continue to fester.’’

The town official kneeled before a crowd of more than 100 people at the meeting, according to the AP. The selectwoman could be seen kneeling to boos and people shouting at her over the demonstration.

Crowd reacts as Haddam Selectwoman Melissa Schlag kneels during the Pledge of Allegiance. #NBCCT pic.twitter.com/I9JacAtqM5

— Matt Austin (@mattaustinTV) July 30, 2018

Haddam residents attending the meeting argued that while the Democrat has a right to protest, she should do it on her own time, according to local reports.

“You told at least half this town I don’t care if I offend you, and I’m going to act my whim. You took an oath. You took an oath,” one speaker said during the meeting, according to NBC Connecticut.

A rally was reportedly held before the meeting to protest the Democrat’s actions after she kneeled at a Board of Selectman’s meeting on July 16. Another rally was organized with about 75 people to support her protest of the Trump administration’s policies.

Schlag has said she has no plans to seek higher office and said she has received numerous threats due to her demonstration in addition to people calling for her to resign, the AP reported.