Star Trek: Discovery cast takes a knee in premiere night protest

Not all the TV stars taking a knee on Sunday were playing NFL games.

Star Trek: Discovery star Sonequa Martin-Green pointedly kneeled for an Instagram post along with the CBS show’s executive producer Akiva Goldsman and several other members of the cast (such as Anthony Rapp, Michelle Yeoh, Mary Wiseman, Mary Chieffo and Shazad Latif). The image included the hashtags #StarTrekDiscovery #takeaknee. The post went live a few hours after the world premiere of Discovery on CBS.

Costar Jason Isaacs likewise weighed in on Twitter:

The silent protest follows more than 100 NFL team members taking the knee and sitting in solidarity after President Trump’s during national anthem performances around the league on Sunday in protest of police brutality and injustice. Dozens of others locked arms in defiance of Trump (though the president seemed to believe that show of disapproval was actually done in support of his message).

Martin-Green’s kneeling photo provoked largely supportive reactions on her account, along with a few slams:

— “‘I’m an Aussie & I say yay for any American taking a knee. Trump is way out of line. From the other side of the world he’s a total joke. Hats off to you all. Kneel with pride.”

— “great show, congratulations, every winter I watched voyager one of my old favorite Star Trek, seen sister doing her thing it’s so inspiring, many blessings”

— “Ridiculous, lost a follower! It’s disrespectful to those that died for our flag no matter how you look at it #shameful”

— “If a knee in Freddy Gray’s back pissed off the people who are mad at people taking a knee this would all be over. I love this group even more!”

— “Wow I was a huge fan of yours and you just completely screwed that up. Time to free up space on my dvr now that I won’t be recording your show.”

Later, Martin-Green added: “Thank you. All of you. CBS, writers, producers, directors, crew and cast. For your gifts and fervor. And thank you, those watching. For tuning in. For your passion, support, and love. I. Do. NOT take it lightly. I thank God for you. And I’m excited to take this journey with you.”

Previously Discovery made some waves after the show’s producer Aaron Harberts discussed with EW the political allegory being explored in the show’s first season storyline, noting the writing process “began as a commentary on our own divided nation — in terms of Trump supporters and non-Trump supporters …The Klingons are going to help us really look at certain sides of ourselves and our country. Isolationism is a big theme. Racial purity is a big theme. The Klingons are not the enemy, but they do have a different view on things. It raises big questions: Should we let people in? Do we want to change?”

For more on Discovery, check out our post-premiere interview with the show’s executive producer Alex Kurtzman about the first two episodes and our recap.

Star Trek: Discovery airs on CBS All Access