EMBED >More News Videos Flyers remove Kate Smith statue amid racism allegation. Water Perez has more on Action News at 6 p.m. on April 21, 2019. EMBED >More News Videos Wildwood mayor defends Kate Smith. Jeannette Reyes reports during Action News Mornings on April 23, 2019. SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- On Tuesday morning, a concrete saw took down what was left of a sight familiar to any Flyers fan outside the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia.The pedestal upon which the bronze Kate Smith statue stood for almost a decade was removed just days after the 40-year-old statue itself was taken down.For decades, Smith's popular rendition of "God Bless America" was played before every Flyers game. That's now been scrubbed from the organization's playlist. "I don't think it's an overreaction," said Alina Daniel of Northeast Philadelphia.It is a reaction though, a strong one, by the Flyers organization to racist lyrics the late artist sang in the 1930s. But equally as strong is the backlash. "I think it's the right thing to do to take it down," said Alex Thompson of South Philadelphia. "The song has some history with the organization, but when those findings come out after the fact you kind of have to do what's right. ""That's a little excessive," said Michael Kelly of South Philadelphia.Among the most vocal critics is Wildwood mayor Ernie Troiano He said on the Dom Giordano radio show Monday that he will continue playing Smith's iconic song along the boardwalk.Wildwood has a tradition of raising the flag every morning on the boardwalk while playing Smith's song.On Monday night, Action News tracked down the mayor who turned down an on camera interview. He said that he plans to talk to his cabinet to make sure they all feel as passionate about the issue as he does. Though passion is something he's likely to find on either side of the issue.<doc-sep>The Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday removed a statue of late singer Kate Smith that stood outside their arena for more than three decades, the move coming two days after the team covered the monument in response to complaints about two tunes the "God Bless America" singer performed in the 1930s. The Flyers had covered the statue and suspended playing her famous rendition of the patriotic song Friday. The Flyers decision followed a similar one made recently by the New York Yankees, who for 18 years had played the recording during the seventh inning stretch. Smith's statue had stood near the Philadelphia sports complex since 1987. KATE SMITH'S RELATIVES 'HEARTBROKEN' AFTER YANKEES, FLYERS DROP HER 'GOD BLESS AMERICA' RECORDING: REPORT “The NHL principle 'Hockey is for Everyone' is at the heart of everything the Flyers stand for,” team president Paul Holmgren said in a statement. “As a result, we cannot stand idle while material from another era gets in the way of who we are today.” Smith, who died in 1986 at age 79, was long considered an American icon, in large part because of her association with "God Bless America," the 1918 Irving Berlin song she recorded in 1939. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1982. Recently, however, the Yankees reportedly became aware Smith sang a popular 1931 song, “That’s Why Darkies Were Born.” The tune, originally written for a Broadway revue and later referenced in a Marx Brothers flick, featured lyrics such as: “Someone had to pick the cotton, Someone had to pick the corn, Someone had to slave and be able to sing, That’s why darkies were born.” Ray Henderson and Lew Brown wrote the song. Smith did not contribute words or music. The song was considered a satire of racism in its time, with civil rights activist Paul Robeson also having recorded a version. Detractors also note Smith recorded a song called "Pickaninny Heaven" -- with "pickaninny" being a racial slur for a black child -- and point to Smith's likeness appearing in an ad for baking powder that featured a "mammy" character. The Flyers had played Smith’s version of “God Bless America” before must-win games since 1969, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported, and its record in those games was a stellar 101-31-5. She performed her rendition in person before the team captured its Stanley Cup in 1974. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Yankees pulled "God Bless America" earlier this season after being informed about the questionable Broadway song, the New York Post reported. Fox News’ Louis Casiano and the Associated Press contributed to this report.<doc-sep>PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Legendary singer Kate Smith’s family had no idea the Philadelphia Flyers removed her iconic statue from the Xfinity Live! and the Wells Fargo Center until they were told by Eyewitness News on Sunday. The statue came down Sunday morning. “I’m appalled,” Suzy Andron, Smith’s niece, said Sunday evening. She and her husband, Bob Andron, are both in disbelief after learning only the base of Smith’s statue now remains. The Flyers announced on Friday that the team would stop playing the late singer’s version of “God Bless America” during special events and the playoffs. It dated back to when the Flyers won the Stanley Cup in 1975. Kate Smith Statue Removed From Sports Complex Following Racism Allegations The team distanced itself from Smith after learning she sang racially-insensitive songs early in her career in the 1930s. The Flyers said in a statement Sunday, “We cannot stand idle while material from another era gets in the way of who we are today.” “Aunt Katherine was probably one of the kindest people I’ve ever met,” Andron said. “She was certainly anything but a prejudice person. She loved everybody.” Andron insisted Smith nor her songs were racist and added it’s unfair for the Flyers to react so quickly. Now, Smith’s family has message for the Flyers. “I think you need to go back and look back at your own history and what Aunt Katherine gave to that team,” she said. Yankees Reportedly Stop Using Kate Smith’s Recording Of ‘God Bless America’ After Learning About Alleged History Of Racism Smith’s family said she never took singing lessons despite being dubbed, “The song bird of the South.” Smith’s family is also hoping the Flyers rethink their decision to remove the statue and to stop playing her song heard so many times throughout the team’s history. “We need the words and the song of ‘God Bless America’ singing loud again,” Bob Andron said.<doc-sep>Last week, the New York Yankees announced that they would suspend the use of her version of the song, which had been played regularly during the seventh-inning stretch since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Their decision was reached in part because of Smith’s recordings of “That’s Why Darkies Were Born” and “Pickaninny Heaven.” The former song originated in the 1931 Broadway revue “George White’s Scandals” and was purported to be a satire of white supremacists. Both Smith and Paul Robeson, the actor and civil rights activist whose father was a runaway slave, recorded the song, which included the lyrics:<doc-sep>
Despite a "long and popular relationship" with Kate Smith, the Philadelphia Flyers have cut ties with the late singer and removed her statue from outside their arena. The move comes as some of Smith's songs from the 1930s have come under scrutiny in the past week for containing racist language and references. The New York Yankees have not played Smith's version of "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch this season after the lyrics were brought to the attention of team officials. The Flyers followed suit Friday by halting the playing of "God Bless America" on the scoreboard and covering the statue of Smith outside the Wells Fargo Center. On Sunday, the team issued a statement acknowledging some of the lyrics in Smith's songs "are incompatible with the values of our organization, and evoke painful and unacceptable themes," and announcing the statue had been removed. SPORTS, DELIVERED::Get latest news right in your inbox! "The NHL principle 'Hockey is for Everyone' is at the heart of everything the Flyers stand for," said Flyers President Paul Holmgren. "As a result, we cannot stand idle while material from another era gets in the way of who we are today." Smith singing "God Bless America" has long been a good-luck charm of sorts for the Flyers dating back to when the team won the Stanley Cup in 1974. However, family members of the singer who died in 1986 say they are "heartbroken" over the recent decisions by the Flyers and Yankees. Smith's niece, Suzy Andron, told USA TODAY Sports she strongly objected to the characterization of Smith as racist and said she was "saddened that a woman who has been dead for almost 35 years would be attacked in this way."