Nina Tonji Alters 1 Line of French Anthem at NFL Game as Immigration Tensions Roil France
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 25
Nina Tonji Alters 1 Line of French Anthem at NFL Game as Immigration Tensions Roil France
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 25
Summary
At Stade de France before Steelers-Saints, Nina Tonji changed one key line of La Marseillaise, replacing “impure blood” with “united blood” and triggering a wave of online anger in France.
The lyric shift recast the anthem from a revolutionary call against enemies and traitors into an appeal for national unity that includes immigrants, giving the change clear political weight.
Posts by Cerfia, RMC Sport and Francetvsport amplified the performance to audiences of 1.3 million, 2.7 million and nearly 300,000, with many replies calling it disrespectful, scandalous and confusing.
The backlash landed as France remains on edge after two weeks of civil unrest in which some protesters were immigrants, making anthem symbolism especially sensitive.