State lawmakers passed a measure earlier this week that would prevent cities from stopping groups from singing the national anthem or reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public spaces, weeks after a guard at the Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum told a North Carolina middle school choir to stop singing "The Star Spangled Banner."
The state Senate unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday preventing cities across the state from requiring a permit for groups hoping to sing the anthem or recite the pledge. The measure is now set to be taken up by the state Assembly.
The measure came after Waynesville Middle School's choir was told to stop singing the anthem during a visit to the Manhattan memorial in April. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum later said the guard "did not respond appropriately."
Video posted on Facebook by an adult on the field trip sparked outrage and led to an invitation for the students to sing the anthem live on Fox News.
Sen. George Amedore, one of the sponsors of the bill, said the measure passed Tuesday was an effort to "go back to reality."
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum later said the guard "did not respond appropriately."
"Maybe the choir could have sang a little lower tone or voice, but never be stopped," he said.
