On June 24 2022, the Supreme Court overturned the landmark decision preserving abortion rights, Roe v. Wade; as protests began to take shape in Washington, DC, a video of Democrats purportedly singing “God Bless America” at the Capitol spread virally:
The “God Bless America” clip was one of many threads of discourse on an unusually eventful summer Friday. Responses often expressed skepticism (or dismay) that the filmed display of song occurred on June 24 2022, against the backdrop of overturning Roe v. Wade:
Fact Check
Claim: On June 24 2022, Democrats sang “God Bless America” after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Description: On June 24, 2022, a video circulated of Democrats purportedly singing ‘God Bless America’ in response to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.
The version seen above was shared by reporter Farnoush Amiri. Amiri’s Twitter bio accurately described them as a Congressional reporter for Associated Press:
Farnoush Amiri @FarnoushAmiri
Congressional reporter @AP | فرنوش امیری | director @aajavoices | vice-pres @sajahq | mail: [email protected] | secure tips: [email protected] |
Clips of Democrats singing were shared from different angles by different reporters, indicating the clip was from June 24 2022. One from another local correspondent (at ABC News) included context for the video:
In that tweet, ABC News reporter Ben Siegel explained that House Democrats sang “God Bless America” ahead of a gun control vote on June 24 2022. Additional reporting (hidden behind a paywall) on Time.com reported:
“All of us who have met the survivors in the wake of the tragedies have heard their message loud and clear,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, said [on the morning of June 24 2022]. “Today, in their honor, we hear their powerful cry, sending the major gun violence prevention legislation to President Biden’s desk for signature.”
Shortly before Friday [June 24 2022]’s vote, a group of roughly 30 House Democrats gathered on the Capitol steps with other gun control advocates. They sang “God Bless America” while holding photos of people lost to gun violence. “Our success today will never be the end of this fight, but it is a beginning,” Rep. Lucy McBath, a Democrat from Georgia, said as family members affected by gun violence listened. “This bill doesn’t answer all of our prayers, but this is hope.”
Amid discourse about the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade on June 24 2022, video of House Democrats singing “God Bless America” circulated and caused confusion. The clip was real and accurately described, but it was often shared without additional context. On June 24 2022, House Democrats did sing “God Bless America,” while holding photos of people killed in gun violence.