A member of vocal group The Tenors, who changed the words to O Canada while performing at an MLB game, has come forward to say sorry.
Remigio Pereira was in San Diego on Tuesday with the other three members of the group to sing the Canadian National Anthem at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
Pereira changed the lyrics to include the words “all lives matter” and displayed the same words on a piece of paper he held up during his solo.
Days later, Pereira took to Facebook to post an apology video.
“I know that the anthem is very revered. It has a lot of history behind it and in no shape or form was I intending to disrespect the anthem, the people of my country and the people who have fallen for this country to be free,” he said.
“To the people who are offended by my ‘All Lives Matter,’ in no way am I racist.”
Pereira said he has a bi-racial daughter and grew up with people of all cultures, and his message came from love.
Still, the signer said sorry to people behind the Black Live Matter movement.
“I stand with you, with your voice, it deserves to be heard,” he continued. “I had nothing to gain from this, in fact, I’ve lost everything.”
During the performance, Pereria sang, “We are all brothers and sisters, all lives matter to the brave.”
Widespread outrage came at Pereria and the band, with people saying 'all lives matter' dismisses the 'black lives matter' movement.
The Tenors released a statement on the performance and said Pereira, who acted alone in the statement, would not be performing with them any longer.
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