‘All Lives Matter’ Message Slipped into All Star Game Anthem
A member of a Canadian singing group caused a stir at Petco Park when he changed a lyric in Canada’s national anthem and held up a sign proclaiming “All Lives Matter” during a pregame performance at the 87th All-Star Game in San Diego on Tuesday.
Remigio Pereira — a member of the British Columbia based group, The Tenors — pulled out the sign while singing “O Canada” — to the confusion of his bandmates on the field.
The new Canadian Anthem? #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/ViCfYZ4YAd
— Taylor Jones (@TJ) July 13, 2016
Pereira unexpectedly sang: “We’re all brothers and sisters. All lives matter to the great.” The anthem’s lyric is “With glowing hearts we see thee rise. The True North strong and free.”
“United We Stand” was also written on the back of his sign.
The lyrics come following a week of Black Lives Matter protests in the United States. Proponents of the “All Lives Matter” respons have received criticism for trivializing the problems specifically facing black people.
Some spectators were surprised and upset by what they witnessed:
Not sure I appreciate the Tenors making a political statement during the Canadian anthem and changing the lyrics. #AllStarGame
— Jamie (@jamiedz) July 13, 2016
Att: rest of the world. Please don't take @TenorsMusic as an example of what Canadians think or how poorly we can sing. #MLBAllStarGame
— Mark Critch (@markcritch) July 13, 2016
Major League Baseball was also unaware of Pereira’s plan to make a political statement, according to a spokesman.
The group apologized on Twitter, saying Pereira acted alone during the performance. They also stated that he wouldn’t be performing with the group until further notice.
— The Tenors (@TenorsMusic) July 13, 2016
