'Find a different country!' Iowa race track announcer is fired after loudspeaker rant about 'darker skinned' Americans who won't stand for the flag and want their own national anthem - to CHEERS from crowd
An Iowa race track announcer was fired after launching into a racist rant against black athletes on a loudspeaker.
The announcer - whose identity has not been confirmed - was 'filling in' for a regular announcer at the Kossouth County Speedway in Algona on July 15 when he made the inflammatory remarks.
Video shared to social media shows crowds at the speedway listening as he says over the speaker: 'Here's your social service announcement: If you won't stand for our flag, if you're gonna take a knee, if you're gonna feel you have rights - you have the right to remain silent for most of the time -but I got four words for you: Find a different country'.
He is heard continuing: 'Get the hell out of dodge. Yes! A lot of people have sacrificed many things in their lives for us to be able to do these liberties. And if you feel that's alright, well I don't know, you just don't have a right.'
Some in the crowd were heard cheering as he made the comments.
An Iowa race track announcer has been fired after launching into a racist rant against black athletes on a loudspeaker. The Kossouth County Speedway in Algona is pictured
The man then referenced recent reports that the NFL will play 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' - the unofficial black national anthem - before Week 1 games in its upcoming season.
'I've heard about all the stuff going on in the NFL and now they're going to have another national anthem for those folks, for the ... I guess ... darker-toned skin color, I'll just say blacks. They want a different national anthem and the NFL is thinking about doing it. So I say shut the TVs off and let them play in front of nobody!' he raged.
In a statement, the speedway said the announcer was filling in for the usual lead announcer and would not be employed at future track events.
'It was not okay, and it will not be happening again,' the statement said. 'Kossuth County Speedway looks forward to proving to our fans, drivers and crews that we can and will do better.'
The announcer´s comments were broadcast on FloRacing, which provides livestreams of racing events. FloRacing said in a statement Thursday that it removed the event broadcast, and that the announcer's 'opinions and language do not reflect our core values or have a place on our platform.'
Black and white athletes have been kneeling during the national anthem in recent years to protest systemic racism and police brutality. Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (center) led the movement. He is pictured back in 2016
Orlando Magic players are seen kneeling before a game against the Brooklyn Nets last year
While the speedway did not confirm the man's identity, Fairmont Raceway in Fairmont, Minnesota, said on its Facebook page that the man was longtime track announcer, Lon Oelke.
Fairmont Raceway promoter Jon McCorkell wrote that Oelke would 'absolutely be announcing' races Friday night and would receive a standing ovation before the national anthem.
McCorkell added that he agreed 'with all of Lon´s comments and opinions' and several commenters chimed in with praise for Oelke.
The Associated Press reported that Oelke's phone number has been disconnected, and that he did not reply to a request for comment.
The announcer´s comments were broadcast on FloRacing, which provides livestreams of racing events. FloRacing said in a statement Thursday that it had removed the event broadcast
In its statement, the speedway said the man who made the comments was filling in for its lead announcer and would not be employed at any future track events
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