Mark's Notebook


	Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt. - Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

City Bars Christian Hip-Hop Dancers from Performing

San Diego Union-Tribune

Thursday 22 December 2005, 1:08 pm
Keywords: Christian Topics , News Articles

By Shannon McMahon, Union-Tribune Staff Writer

CHULA VISTA – At the city's annual holiday celebration, a rabbi lighted a menorah. A dance troupe performed a traditional prayer to the gods. But six young girls were told they they couldn't perform because they were wearing shirts emblazoned with a silver cross and the words "Jesus Christ" on the front.

The "Jesus Christ Dancers," a group of 8-to 12-year-olds who describe themselves as Christian hip-hop dancers, were scheduled to make their citywide debut at the Dec. 3 holiday festival. Moments before the group was to take the stage, employees from the city's Parks and Recreation Department barred them from performing, saying they did not want to convey a religious message in the show.

In a council meeting Tuesday night, Mayor Steve Padilla said city staff members turned the dancers away "out of an overabundance of caution." "We sent the wrong message to a very important segment of our community," he said. Padilla then apologized on behalf of the city.

Dance instructor Lita Ramirez said that she described the group as a Christian hip-hop dance troupe when she sought permission to enter the festival. "There was a Hawaiian prayer dance that was allowed to perform," Ramirez said. "There was seductive belly dancing and songs saying 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' and 'Little Drummer Boy' and 'Feliz Navidad.'" A tree-lighting ceremony, sponsored by the mayor's office, followed the event. During that ceremony, the mayor introduced a rabbi, who lighted a menorah.

"The city created a holiday event and then they turned around and the only person who wasn't invited was Jesus," said Dean Broyles, an attorney.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20051217-9999-2m17jesus.html