A Canadian vocal group is apologizing Tuesday night after one of its members changed the lyrics of the Canadian national anthem to include the phrase “All Lives Matter” before the Major League Baseball All-Star game in San Diego.
“The Tenors are deeply sorry for the disrespectful and misguided lack of judgment by one member of the group acting as a ‘lone wolf’ today during the singing of the Canadian national anthem at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in San Diego,” the group said in a statement shortly afterwards.
While not televised in the U.S., viewers in Canada and fans in the stadium were surprised to hear in the middle of the anthem, one of the members of the singing quartet, Remigio Pereira, sing “We’re all brothers and sisters. All lives matter to the great.” He changed the lyric from “With glowing hearts we see thee rise. The True North strong and free.” Pereira also held up a card that read “All lives matter” on one side, and “United we stand” on the other.
In its statement, the group said the other members were “shocked and embarrassed by the actions of Remigio Pereira,” adding that he used “this coveted platform to serve his own political views.” The Tenors’ statement concluded by saying Pereira will not be performing with the group “until further notice.”
The phrase “All Lives Matter” is a common refrain in response to the Black Lives Matter movement in the U.S. in response to a string of incidents in recent years where mostly white cops shot and killed unarmed black men. Critics of “All Lives Matter” say it ignores the point made by Black Lives Matter, which is to bring attention to the black community’s difficult situation.
