Group adds 'all lives matter' to lyrics of Canadian national anthem before MLB All-Star Game
Twitter/BillCooney
Before Major League Baseball's All- Star Game on Tuesday, the Canadian vocal group The Tenors, sang the Canadian national anthem with one eyebrow-raising twist to the lyrics.
[UPDATE] Group accuses member Remigio Pereira of acting as a "lone wolf" with "disrespectful and misguided lack of judgment."
[Earlier] The anthem was not broadcast in the US, but at one point Remigio Pereira sang "we are all brothers, and sisters, all lives matter to the brave." As he did this, he pulled out a sign that read "All Lives Matter," as can be seen in video from Bill Cooney.
Pereira used this line in place of the lines, "With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free."
Here is the statement from the group:
"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 other members of the group are shocked and embarrassed by the actions of Remigio Pereira, who changed the lyrics of our treasured anthem and used this coveted platform to serve his own political views.
Our sincere apologies and regrets go out to everybody who witnessed this shameful act, to our fellow Canadians, to Major League Baseball, to our friends, families, fans and to all those affected.
The actions of one member of this group were extremely selfish and he will not be performing with The Tenors until further notice."
The phrase "all lives matter" has become a rallying cry for those who disagree with the Black Lives Matter movement.
US President Barack Obama recently explained why the idea behind "black lives matter" is not exclusionary against other races.
The president said:
"I think the reason that the organizers used the phrase 'black lives matter' was not because they were suggesting nobody else's lives matter, but rather what they were suggesting was there is a specific problem that is happening in the African-American community that is not happening in other communities."