insisted the singing was a “demonstration” and later alleged that “some people were offended” by the performance.
McCarthy Backs Children’s Choir Silenced at the Capitol, Police Apology Cites ‘Miscommunication’
By Brittany Sheehan | 5:00 PM on June 03, 2023
On Friday evening, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy posted on social media calling the interruption of the Rushingbrook Children’s Choir performance of “The Star Spangled Banner” “unacceptable.” McCarthy said the choir was welcomed by his office, and he looks forward to a return performance by the Greenville, South Carolina-based youth vocalists.
As I previously reported, on Friday, video footage circulated of the Christian children’s choir singing the national anthem inside Statuary Hall in the Capitol building. The video shows the conductor, David Rasbach, abruptly stopping the performance before the young singers could finish the patriotic tune. Rasbach said:
I was shocked, I was dismayed, I was stunned. I couldn’t believe that was happening, that they would stop the National Anthem of all songs.
The date of the incident has been clarified to have occurred on May 26. Rasbach revealed that despite having obtained permission from South Carolina Republican Representatives William Timmons, Joe Wilson, and the Speaker’s office, a congressional staffer halted the performance.
The United States Capitol Police wrote:
Although popup demonstrations and musical performances are not allowed in the U.S. Capitol without the proper approval, due to a miscommunication, the U.S. Capitol Police were not aware that the Speaker’s Office had approved this performance. We apologize to the choir for this miscommunication that impacted their beautiful rendition of The Star Spangled Banner and their visit to Capitol Hill.
Rasbach stated that a female Capitol Police officer had instructed the staffer to interrupt the children’s singing, that the female officer insisted the singing was a “demonstration” and later alleged that “some people were offended” by the performance. On Friday, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia tweeted her support for the choir, asserting that the national anthem sung by children “is not offensive, it’s needed more.” Capitol Police denied the allegations Greene and Rasbach levied, stating that they never suggested the performance might offend someone.
RE: Capitol police, choir
Are they going to give them the boot? Remember, Washington D.C. actually a ‘foreign country’.
Good, for McCarthy.....I’d love to know when these kids will receive their invite and the date of their repeat, but, continued!!, beautiful performance.
Offensive, my Aunt Fannie. Only to those who hate America and our God given greatness.
Thanks for the ping.
