Conservative Students stopped from singing National Anthem at Lincoln Memorial

[RamboLiberal]

In 1939, the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to let Marian Anderson perform before an integrated audience at Constitution Hall. The Board of Education of the then-segregated District also refused to let her perform in the auditorium of a white public high school. So Anderson turned to a symbol of freedom: the Lincoln Memorial.

That April, Anderson held an open-air concert on the steps of the monument to the end of slavery and the ideals of the Republic. Stepping up before a racially mixed audience of more than 75,000, Anderson began with "My Country, ‘Tis of Thee."

Two months ago, at the same memorial, a group of students were confronted by a security guard for singing the national anthem.
The students, members of the conservative Young America’s Foundation, were told by U.S. Park Police that they were "were in violation of federal law and their impromptu performance constituted a demonstration in an area that must remain 'completely content neutral,'" reports FoxNews.com.

"The area they were standing in and singing is an area that is restricted for this type of activity," said Sgt. David Schlosser. "The United States Park Police is absolutely content-neutral when it comes to any sort of demonstrations in these areas."


http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Students-Silenced-for-Singing-Anthem-at-Lincoln-Memorial-100443134.html

Next fake RW outrage story!

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. And I heard Obama has started shutting down churches,

commandeering their land to build mosques and abortion clinics.

I know it's true, I heard a guy on Christian radio say it, and rightwing Christians wouldn't lie about that kind of stuff.

[Erose999]

2. What ever happened to that retired Col. who's HOA wouldn't let him put up a 50 foot flagpole? lol

RW outrage is so predictable. Its all about symbols and sentimental BS, and has nothing at all to do with anything important.

[knitter4democracy]

3. I wonder why the guard thought they weren't content-neutral.

Maybe they were wearing shirts or carrying signs, too? I could see that.

During my first trip to Russia, my college choir gave an impromptu concert in one of the churches in the Kremlin. They sang a hymn from the Russian vespers service, and the guard allowed it because it was in Russian and appropriate for the setting. We found out later they were the first American choir to sing in the Kremlin, but at the time, it was just a powerful moment. That said--we weren't wearing anything to identify ourselves as anything other than tourists, and we didn't make a big statement out of it.

I wonder, also, did they change the lyrics or do something to get the guard's attention?

[kestrel91316]

6. They were probably pounding on a bunch of bibles and/or wearing

attire with religious logos/sayings and/or carrying signs with religious/political/hate messages.

[dsc]

9. the content neutral refers to them not allowing anyone to sing anything in the area

[blm]

11. They were being loud in a demonstrational posture at a place where peace and respect is expected

If they wanted to demonstrate they should have gotten permits. Museums don't allow groups to break into loud song, either.

[knitter4democracy]

12. They either didn't think of permits or were planning to for this to happen.

Either way, they should have thought things through a bit better.

[Earth_First]

4. Ummm, isn't Beckkk supposed to host a Palin/NRA even on those same steps in two weeks?

How is THAT content-netural?

:shrug:

[LostinVA]

5. You have to have a permit, Beck probably does

[blogslut]

7. YAF is a Viguerie operation

They knew what they were doing. They did that intentionally because they knew they would be shut down. More conservative youth astroturf.

[Arctic Dave]

8. Two months ago?

Talk about sandbagging their poutrages.

Gotta love the election season.

[monmouth]

10. If it were not for FLOTUS Eleanor Roosevelt, Anderson probably

wouldn't have had that wonderful appearance. Mrs. Roosevelt also quit the DAR she was so outraged..

[Warpy]

13. Well, that sucks

I'd never turn down the opportunity to listen to a well rehearsed chorus no matter what their politics are. One of my favorite local radio programmes used to be a kickass gospel show I'd listen to early on Sunday morning on my way home from work. Stomping my left foot in time with the music kept me awake and it was all great stuff.

There should be an exemption for patriotic stuff. I can see neutrality when it comes to religion or politics, but not for standard ball game anthem fare.

I'm on the side of the chorus this time.

Flame away.

[BlueCheese]

14. A college glee club I know of...

... once tried to sing one of their songs (a harmless one) on the Capitol Steps, but were told by some official person to knock it off. I guess it's a rule for whatever reason.

Edit: Fixed typo.