A woman is facing potential jail time after authorities say she disrespected the Dominican Republic’s national anthem during a karaoke performance that quickly went viral online.
According to The Independent, Amarilis Brito Rodriguez, 64, was arrested three days after a video showed her singing the country’s national anthem over a dembow beat at a restaurant. Police detained Rodriguez at her home in the municipality of San Víctor on Monday.
Authorities Cite Violation of National Symbols Law
Officials say Rodriguez violated Article 37 of Law 210-19, which governs the proper use of national symbols in the Dominican Republic. If convicted, she could face several months in prison and be required to pay a fine.
Authorities have emphasized that altering or performing the national anthem in an unauthorized way may constitute a legal violation under the statute.
“I Used the Anthem’s Verses to Express My Free Spirit”
Rodriguez has defended her actions, saying she wrote the version 22 years ago — at a time when she claims there were no laws prohibiting alternative interpretations of the anthem.
“I used the anthem’s verses to express my free spirit,” she said. “I comply with what the law says, but I don’t regret it because I don’t feel I did any harm.”
She also publicly asked the country for forgiveness.
“Forgive me, my country, forgive me in every way I need to ask,” she added.
Debate Sparks Online
The arrest has sparked debate on social media, with some defending Rodriguez’s creative expression while others argue that national symbols should be protected by law.
Legal experts note that many countries have statutes regulating how national anthems and flags can be used or altered, though enforcement varies widely.
