During an Independence Day celebration in Jacksonville, Fla., a patriotic American showed up with electric guitar in hand and delivered an amazing rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that quickly attracted hundreds of fellow patriots celebrating America’s birthday.
But much to the dismay of many, patriotic rocker and Jacksonville resident Lane Pittman was escorted off the scene by local police after he finished playing the song. Others said it was the right call.
Pittman had no regrets, saying, “I don’t think I ever played that song as good in my life as I did on that day. It felt right. It was an emotional roller coaster.”
As seen in the video, Pittman slayed his guitar with the anthem and then transitioned into a classic Ted Nugent song. Flashing police lights could be seen in the background and eventually, several cops approached Pittman and told him he could no longer play on the sidewalk as the crowd was becoming hostile.
“So the only way to stop it, since he wasn’t going to stop playing, was to take him out of the location,” said Neptune Beach Police Chief David Sembach, who stated that the officers let Pittman finish “The Star-Spangled Banner” out of respect for the song, given the fact that it was the Fourth of July.
Neptune police charged Pittman with one count of misdemeanor breach of peace.
But Pittman claimed that the arrest wasn’t justified while also giving an account the conflicted with the police report describing the incident.
He’s since hired a lawyer, who stated that the “rude” arrest of his client was unlawful given Pittman’s assertion that he wasn’t read his rights or told why he was being arrested (H/T Mad World News).
No matter what side you’re on, one thing can’t be denied: Jimi Hendrix would have been proud.