SAN ANTONIO – Hands over their hearts, nearly 250 people from 49 countries stood, pledging allegiance to the U.S. flag and the country it represents.
The ceremony Thursday at the Institute of Texan Cultures came at a time of turmoil in Charlotte, North Carolina, wrought by violent protests over the nation’s latest police shooting of an African-American.
“They’re finding an excuse to loot and burn. To me, that’s not freedom. It’s no freedom of speech,” said Erica Kazazian, who was born in Syria but emigrated to the U.S. from Canada.
Jose Romo, who is originally from Mexico, said he agrees, “Charlotte people are going crazy over there.”
Romo said if they need to protest, “They need to follow the right process.”
As the national anthem filled the auditorium, they stood, trying to sing along, finding meaning in the words.
But they’ve also seen U.S. athletes kneel in protest, again over recent police shootings.
“That’s very, very wrong. That is very wrong,” Karzazian said. “That’s something sacred.”
Karzazian said she will always stand for the national anthem.
“Love the flag. Love the country. God bless everyone who lives here,” she said.
Showing off her citizenship certificate, Namiada Dudy, formerly of India, said she’s not worried about the protests in her adopted country.
“These things are part and parcel in any country,” Dudy said. “It’s nothing new. It’s nothing unusual.”
Frederick Ofori of Ghana said, “We’re still here and so I’m not worried.”
Hoping his wife will someday join him, Ofori said he’s the only one in his family living in America.
“It’s been hard in the past six years,” Ofori said. “But like I said, I’m still here.”
Reminded again and again, Americans have fought and died to preserve the freedoms the new citizens will enjoy.
They also were told much like the birth of their first child, they will always remember the day they became U.S. citizens.