SINGERS SAY ANTHEM OK IN ANY LANGUAGE.Byline: FRED SHUSTER Staff Writer A national touring group promoting ``The Star-Spangled Banner'' hit Venice Beach on Friday, just as controversy erupted over a Spanish-language version timed to coincide with Monday's immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. protests. What was essentially a glorified glo·ri·fy tr.v. glo·ri·fied, glo·ri·fy·ing, glo·ri·fies 1. To give glory, honor, or high praise to; exalt. 2. karaoke event with a patriotic twist drew a small but diverse group to a stage off the busy boardwalk. Performances of the Francis Scott Key anthem ranged from heartfelt to downright weird. ``America is for everybody,'' said Venice resident Don Ervin, 44, a customer service representative and strong singer who said he performs the anthem at sporting events around the country. ``We have a free country and if it's sung in Spanish, Polish, Vietnamese or any language, it's OK with me.'' But in Washington, President George W. Bush had a different opinion, bluntly voicing his opposition to ``Nuestro Himno "Nuestro Himno" (Spanish for "Our Anthem") is a Spanish-language version of the United States national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner". ,'' or ``Our Anthem,'' a Spanish version of the national anthem, performed by Latin pop This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. Please help Wikipedia by adding references. See the for details. This article has been tagged since September 2007. stars, that debuted Friday on radio stations around the U.S. ``I think the national anthem ought to be sung in English,'' Bush told reporters in the White House Rose Garden, ``and I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English.'' The recording was released Friday, just ahead of pro-immigration protests planned around the country for Monday, and Hispanic radio stations planned to play the song Friday evening in a sign of solidarity. A remix due next month contains several lines in English condemning current U.S. immigration laws immigration laws npl → leyes fpl de inmigración immigration laws npl → lois fpl sur l'immigration immigration laws npl . Bush's supporters include Mark Krikorian Mark Krikorian is the executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, a think-tank that promotes stricter immigration standards and enforcement. Also, Krikorian is a regular contributor to the conservative publication National Review , head of the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) is a right-leaning, immigration reduction-oriented, non-profit, non-partisan research organization and was founded in 1985 with roots in the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) and anti-immigration activist John , a think tank that supports tighter immigration controls. ``Would the French accept people singing the ``La Marseillaise'' in English as a sign of French patriotism?'' he said. ``Of course not.'' But at Venice Beach, many of the dozen or so beachgoers who stood before the microphone before midday agreed that the song's power is the sentiment behind it - not the language in which it is sung. The traveling National Anthem Project The National Anthem Project was launched in 2005 as a major initiative of MENC: The National Association for Music Education. Its goal was to increase public awareness of the importance of school music programs throughout the United States. is an effort to re-educate re·ed·u·cate also re-ed·u·cate tr.v. re·ed·u·cat·ed, re·ed·u·cat·ing, re·ed·u·cates 1. To instruct again, especially in order to change someone's behavior or beliefs. 2. Americans about ``The Star-Spangled Banner'' and spotlight school music programs. Sponsored by automaker Jeep, the contest awards $1,000 to the best version of the song sung in 50 cities. A Harris Poll found that two out of three Americans don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. the words to the song, which comes from a poem written by poet-lawyer Key in 1814. In 1931, Congress enacted legislation that made ``The Star-Spangled Banner'' the official national anthem. ``This is about showing how easy - and hard - it is to sing the anthem,'' said Lisa Brogan, spokeswoman for the National Anthem Project. ``We encourage people to learn it.'' She added that the contest promotes the English-language version of the song, ``but music is music and we celebrate that.'' Seaside, Venice resident Maria Lourdes, 37, whose family emigrated from Cuba to the U.S. when she was a toddler, offered a highly personal interpretation of the tune that included stops, starts and spoken interludes. ``I love this country,'' she said afterward. ``If anyone wants to praise this country (in any language), it's fine with me. This is the land of the brave.'' Meanwhile, Burbank resident Brandon Parker, 44, was about to give the song a low-key, rambling reading. ``It's our pride, something we can all be proud of,'' said Parker, who was traveling the boardwalk on a borrowed bicycle. ``This song should be sung in every language.'' fred.shuster@dailynews.com (818) 713-3676 CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- 2) Sean Thomas Sean Thomas may refer to any of the following:
Tina Burch/Staff Photographer |
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