Dominican Republic woman arrested for singing her interpretation of national anthem
· Toronto Sun
A 64-year-old woman in the Dominican Republic was reportedly arrested after a video of her singing the national anthem in a high-energy, urban tempo went viral online.
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Amarilis Brito Rodriguez is accused of disrespecting the anthem by performing it in “dembow” — a local dancehall-derived style of music — during a karaoke event at a restaurant earlier this month, The Associated Press reported.
In the video, the woman is reportedly seen swaying to the music, raising one hand to punctuate each word of the anthem, as some people join in the singing.
She was arrested at her home in the municipality of San Victor on Monday.
‘Forgive me’
Local media captured the handcuffed woman being led out of a police cruiser into a government building.
“Sorry, sorry,” she reportedly said with a smile.
“I used the anthem’s verses to express my free spirit,” she told reporters. “I comply with what the law says, but I don’t regret it because I don’t feel I did any harm.”
When asked whether she would apologize to the country, Brito smiled.
“Forgive me, my country, forgive me in every way I need to ask,” she said.
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Dominican law governs the use of national symbols
According to The Associated Press, Brito said her version of the anthem was written 22 years ago, when there was no law prohibiting the reinterpretation of the national anthem.
Dominican Law 210-19, which was passed in 2019, regulates the use of national symbols.
Police police said she violated Article 37 of the law, “which defines acts of outrage against our National Anthem,” The Associated Press reported.
Violators may be punished with a prison sentence of up to three months and a fine.
Online news site Dominican Today reported that the woman suffers from mental health issues, and that it’s unclear if formal charges will be laid due to her health condition.
Her interpretation of the national anthem was reportedly criticized by many on social media, who called her performance disrespectful.
Others criticized police, saying they should address more pressing issues like violent crime and corruption.
— with files from the Associated Press