Haddam, CT – A Connecticut politician took a knee to protest President Donald Trump during the Pledge of Allegiance last week.

Now critics are calling for her to resign.

Haddam Selectwoman Melissa Schlag took a knee July 16 in response to President Trump’s comments after his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Fox News.

“I felt nervous when I did it but I also felt powerful,” and empowered Schlag told the Hartford Courant. “If I don’t speak up, those who can’t won’t be heard.”

“The Pledge of Allegiance doesn’t have anything to do with the flag, in my opinion,” Schlag told WTIC-TV. “I believe in our country. I love our flag and the United States of America.”

Tim Herbst, a Republican who is running for governor in Connecticut, called for Schlag to resign.

“She needs to resign immediately,” Herbst said, according to Fox News. “One of the things the flag stands for—it stands for our freedom, it stands for our democracy. It stands for the fundamental ideal that we can have differences of opinion, but we all stand in respect of our flag because many people, including my 93-year-old grandfather who’s a veteran, fought in defense of the very liberty that the flag resembles.”

Some residents of the small town were angry over the protest.

“Disgusting, if you ask me,’’ said Haddam resident Ken Pellegrini, according to the Hartford Courant. “That’s our flag. It’s disrespecting our whole country and that’s not OK. … I used to like her but I would never vote for her again. She’s done as far as I’m concerned.”

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Resident Bill Reinwald said he understands why Schlag took a knee, even though he didn’t agree with how she protested.

“If Trump’s behavior were better that would be one thing,’’ Reinwald said, according to the Hartford Courant. “All this stuff with Putin especially. I support the flag, but people have a right to do what they want.”