Los Angeles (AFP) – A Canadian singer who was reprimanded for inserting the “All Lives Matter” slogan into the national anthem at baseball’s All Star Game said Wednesday he hoped to send a positive message.
The Tenors, a quartet prominent in Canada who perform both operatic and pop fare, sang the Canadian national anthem in San Diego before Major League Baseball’s annual inter-league face-off Tuesday night.
One singer, Remigio Pereira, held up a makeshift sign that said, “All Lives Matter,” as he tinkered with the wording of “O Canada.”
“We’re all brothers and sisters / All lives matter to the great,” he sang to a scattering of boos and a largely negative social media reaction.
The move comes amid protests in the United States after a series of police killings of African Americans and the slaying of five officers during a demonstration in Dallas.
Pereira, who had not been known earlier for expressing political views other than advocating a vegan diet, said he wanted to state that a peaceful life was “everyone’s birthright.”
“I’ve been so moved lately by the tragic loss of life and I hoped for a positive statement that would bring us ALL together. ONE LOVE,” he wrote on Twitter early Wednesday.
“I speak for the human race and the lives of all sentient beings. Love, peace and harmony for ALL has always been my life’s purpose,” he tweeted.
“All Lives Matter” has often been employed as a slogan by critics of the Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality, although it did not appear that Pereira meant to critique the protesters.
The Tenors denounced Pereira’s move as “shameful” and apologized to anyone offended by his alteration of the anthem.
“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,” the group said in a statement.
“The actions of one member of this group were extremely selfish and he will not be performing with The Tenors until further notice.”
The Tenors have performed at other major sporting events including the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
The Tenors have also sung with major pop and rock acts including Sting, Neil Young and Celine Dion.
Pereira is both a vocalist and guitarist whose parents hail from the Azores, spawning his interest in Portuguese music.
The All-Star Game featured performances of both the US and Canadian national anthems as one Major League Baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays, is based in Canada.
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