The Philadelphia 76ers have apologized to singer Sevyn Streeter, after preventing her from singing the national anthem at a game because she was wearing a jersey with the words “We Matter” on it.
“We are sorry that this happened,” the NBA team said in a statement Friday. “After receiving feedback from our players, basketball operations staff and ownership group, we believe that the wrong decision was made, and Sevyn should have been welcomed to sing.”
The team added that it has invited Streeter to sing at a future game.
“We apologize to her, and in an effort to move the conversation forward, we have reached out to offer her an opportunity to return and perform at a game of her choice,” the team continued. “We are waiting to hear back.”
“I Like It” singer Streeter ws scheduled to sing the national anthem at the Sixers’ season opener on Wednesday night. However, in an interview, Streeter said that she was pulled from the schedule at the last minute because of the shirt’s slogan, an apparent reference to the Black Lives Matter activist movement, which has gained prominence in the wake of numerous police shootings.
“I’d say two minutes before we were about to walk out … the organization told me that I could not wear my shirt while singing the national anthem at their game,” Streeter said. “I was never given any kind of dress code. I was never asked beforehand to show my wardrobe.”
At the time, the team said that, while it “encourages meaningful actions to drive social change,” it also seeks to use its games as a platform for unity.
“The Philadelphia 76ers organization encourages meaningful actions to drive social change. We use our games to bring people together, to build trust and to strengthen our communities,” the team said. “As we move from symbolic gestures to action, we will continue to leverage our platform to positively impact our community.”