The singer who changed the lyrics of O Canada to include “All Lives Matter” at the MLB All-Star game has broken his silence, saying he didn’t mean any disrespect.
Remigio Pereira, who has since been suspended from the group The Tenors, posted a two and a half minute long apology on his SoundCloud account titled “Black Lives Do Matter.”
“I don’t agree with killing,” Pereira said. “So if I don’t agree with killing, it means that I don’t agree with black people dying. I weep when I see videos of a man just trying to sell a CD and he gets killed, just like I weep when a cop gets killed because my cousin is a cop.”
See also
- The Tenors change O Canada lyrics to support 'All Lives Matter' at MLB All-Star Game (VIDEO)
- The Tenors apologize for 'All Lives Matter' gaffe, place blame on "lone wolf"
Pereira also took to Twitter to express his feelings about the controversial All Lives Matter movement.
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.
— Remigio of TheTenors (@RemigioPereira) July 13, 2016
Since pulling the stunt on Tuesday, The Tenors have been at the centre of a social media backlash and quickly tried to distance themselves from Pereira’s actions, saying he’s a “lone wolf” in an apology they posted to Twitter.
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.
Listen to Pereira’s full apology below.
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