Native American veteran Nathan Phillips in a viral confrontation video

Nathan Phillips, a Native American veteran, speaks after the video of an apparent clash with high school students turned viral over the weekend. The National Mall in Washington, DC, was the site of two protests on Friday: the March for Life and the gathering of indigenous peoples. Some students wore " Make America Great Again " and one of them was seen standing a few inches from Phillips while he was singing and playing drums.

Speaking Sunday night to David Begnaud of the CBSN, Phillips said that he had inserted himself between the students and a small group of African-American protesters, known as Black Hebrew Israelites, in order to dispel the situation.

Nick Sandmann, a junior at Covington Catholic High School, said the four protesters had started shouting "hateful things" at him and his classmates. He added that the students began to sing spiritual songs from the school, with the permission of their companions, to counter the insults that were uttered to them.

"These songs are commonly used at sporting events.They are all positive in nature and sound like what you would like to hear in any high school," Sandmann said in a statement, adding that he was not sure what to say. Had heard no student chanting "build this wall" or something "odious".

Sandmann stated that he had not spoken to Phillips or anyone else. block his path. He admitted that he was confused as to why Phillips had approached him. He said he was "surprised and confused" as to why he approached him after the other protesters shouted at them. Sandmann also thanked Phillips for his service and expressed his "gratitude to anyone who wears the uniform to defend our nation".

Phillips stated that Sandmann was "positioned" in front of him, stopping his release. Phillips said he sang in front of Sandmann for about three minutes.

"When the others went away and let me go, he decided that he was not going to do it." When I went up the stairs, I saw he started to stand in front of me, then I slid to the right and he slid to the right I slid to the left and he slid to the left – so by the time I approached him, we were right in front of him He's just positioned to make sure he's aligned with me, so that stopped my exit. "

Begnaud asked Phillips when he thought Sandmann should be punished.

"I would not want I do not wake up trying to hurt no one, never, I get up in the morning to say my prayers What can I do to create a better world?" It's like that that I start my day, "Phillips added. "I think those who should be punished are the supervisors, those who brought them to Washington, DC, to allow these young people to behave this way."

He added: "There should have been an adult responsible for telling them that it is reprehensible behavior.How did you decide to stay there between young people and Americans who exercise their right to freedom of expression? "Freedom of Religion."

The Diocese of Covington and Covington Catholic High School The School stated that the incident was the subject of a investigation and that they "would take appropriate measures, up to and including expulsion".

"If you look at him once again, what would you say to him?" asked Begnaud at Phillips.

"Live a good life, treat people with respect and treat each other with respect. To forgive yourself, you know. Forgive others. Treat each other, treat others the way he wanted to be treated "Phillips said.