"“These players, with all the assets they have, can express their political views without in effect denigrating the symbols of our nation, a nation that has provided our freedom to speak,” Sessions said during a question-and-answer period."
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These players denigrate the symbols of our nation only when the original cause for protest is ignored, especially so if the symbols have come to mean more than the U.S. Constitution in the mind of the observer.  Sessions is full of dogma.
PS.  I believe Sessions is fine with the have-nots protesting any old way they want because they can be more easily ignored or jailed.