A Spanish Version of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’

A Spanish-language version of the U.S. National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” is getting huge airplay on Spanish-language radio stations across the nation ahead of pro-immigration rallies slated for Monday, May 1.

But the great-great grandson of the original songwriter, Francis Scott Key, is not pleased with the interpretation of the song, which features artists such as Wyclef Jean, hip-hop star Pitbull and Carlos Ponce and Olga Tanon from Puerto Rico. . .

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO “NUESTRO HIMNO” AND VIEW THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION

L.A. Authorities Brace for Huge Immigration Marches

Two immigrant rights demonstrations Monday in Los Angeles could each draw a half-million marchers or more, police said Thursday, as officials expressed concern about a major disruption of traffic, commerce and school.

LAPD Assistant Chief George Gascon said the estimates are based on street intelligence and what he described as a well-organized campaign involving radio stations, churches and community groups. Police do not expect trouble, he added.

Demonstrations are planned for downtown at noon and Mid-Wilshire at 4 p.m. Gascon said the LAPD is gearing up to deal with hundreds of thousands of demonstrators at each. . .

Executions Unlikely for Rest of Year

A legal challenge to California’s lethal injection executions has been delayed until mid-September, making it highly likely there will be no more inmates put to death by the state for the remainder of this year and possibly longer.

The immediate consequence of the delay, ordered Thursday by U.S. District Judge Jeremy Fogel in San Jose, is that Michael A. Morales, who originally was scheduled for execution in February for the 1981 murder of Lodi teenager Terri Winchell, has at least several more months to live. The hearing on Morales’ challenge to lethal injection originally had been set for next month. . .