In a press conference Wednesday, the group insisted that the song written by Fancais Scott Key is offensive to Americans who do not worship God or are against war.
Mike Brown of the ACLU said, "We do not feel the song is suitable to be played in public. The song is for bible-thumping, war mongers. The song is more about Allegiance to God than country, and war is glorified. We need an anthem is not offensive to all Amercians and represents non- Christains and peace lovers. We've ran polls and many say that "Born That Way" by Lady Gaga is more representative of the majority of Americans and we agree! That song has a positive message and tells the world we are American because we are born that way. For those Americans who aren't born here, well... they were born THAT way - and that's okay, too."
Francis Scott Key wrote the song as a poem in 1814 after he witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry in the Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812. In 1931, the song was offically declared The National Anthem by then President Herbert Hoover.
Mark Owens, Ripley, agrees with the ACLU: "The song does not speak for me. I'm an atheist and I am totally against war, but everytime I turn on a sporting event I'm offended. How can I enjoy a baseball game when I have everything I'm against thrown in my face. It has turned me against sports. You shouldn't have to believe in God and want to blow up innocent people in order to enjoy a baseball game."
Margaret Ford, 86 of Parkersburg is upset by the proposed change: "I was a little girl when they made the song our anthem. The song is everything that makes our country great. It's always been my favorite song. The Nazis, the Japs, or the commies could take that song away from us and neither will those tree hugging hippies."
The group plans to rally the Occupy Wall Street groups to assist in removing the song from public airing. Unnamed sources say their tactics will include holding posters, sit-ins at ballgames and shouting down anyone singing the song. Police are being asked to use restraint as they excersise their freedom of speech.
[EDITOR: SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO]
