Black Lives Matter says Tenors' O Canada lyric change an attempt to undermine rallying cry

A controversial rendition of O Canada sung by a member ofThe Tenors was an attempt to undermine the rallying cry of Black Lives Matter, a co-founder of the Toronto chapter said Wednesday.

Sandy Hudsontold CBC News'Here and Now that the altered version of the national anthem sung Tuesday, with the lyrics changed duringRemigioPereira's soloto include the phrase "all lives matter," is offensive but will change nothing as activists in the city continue to bring attention to police killings of black people.

"It's very similar to people who will start talking about a heterosexual pride," she said. "It doesn't exist without the rallying call of Black Lives Matter. It's a response that's meant to delegitimize what we are doing."

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She said she laughed a littlewhen she first heard about the controversy, but then realized the changed lyrics come from a place of ignorance.

"The principle, all lives matter, is of course something that we all strive for. But we have to be honest with ourselves. Take a look at what is happening in society. Do all lives really matter when the police can kill black people withimpunity? No, they don't."

On Tuesday night, the Canadian group performed O Canada before a Major League Baseball all-star game at San Diego's Petco Park. A line in the anthem was changed to "We're all brothers and sisters, all lives matter to the great." The normal lyric is "With glowing hearts we see thee rise, the True North strong and free."

The group blamed member Remigio Pereira for altering the lyrics.He also held up a small sign expressing the "All Lives Matter"message. The words "United We Stand" were written on the back of the sign.

Pereira has defended his actions, which he said were meant to evoke "love, peace and harmony."

Hudson said the controversy doesn't obscure the message of Black Lives Matter and theimpact of the altered lyrics, although negative, is minimal. She said the phrase "all lives matter," which can be found on social media, comes from people who feel threatened by black people demanding justice in their communities.

"It's caused a lot of controversy in the media. It's given us an opportunity to talk about why that is a negative phrase. It doesn't change the conversation."

She said: "What I need to consume myself with is the most urgent problem, which is stopping black deaths in our society. This song isn't going to change that for me."

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