FWIW, I’ve found discussions of the flag and the anthem to be very much like discussions of religious artifacts. Around these items, for some groups, there is a reverence, and a rigidly-defined sanctioned method for handling them. To those who don’t share that same defined reverence, it’s just a symbolic object, and they might think things that seem appropriately respectful in other circumstances, such as kneeling, would apply here too.

So when group A objects to kneeling, group B can’t comprehend how kneeling, which is so clearly an even more respectful behavior than standing, could offend anyone – so they conclude it must be that group A supports police brutality. But seriously, kneeling isn’t on the list. That’s all there is to it. There’s a list of things you can do and kneeling isn’t on it. Yeah, it’s dogmatic but there it is. It’s another example of just talking past each other.