Bold Protest During the National Anthem
At Thursday night’s 4 Nations Face-Off championship game, Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk altered a key lyric in “O Canada” to protest U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated suggestions of making Canada the 51st state. This act of defiance sent a powerful message that reverberated through the crowd.
Tensions Mount
The final between the U.S. and Canada had already been charged with high emotions. Trump’s tariff threats and comments about annexing Canada had stirred tensions. In Montreal the previous week, Canadian fans had protested by booing the U.S. anthem. The final in Boston added more fuel to the fire, with U.S. fans returning the gesture by booing the Canadian anthem.
Kreviazuk’s Powerful Performance
As the anthem played, many initially thought Kreviazuk had made a mistake. However, she deliberately changed the lyric “in all of us command” to “that only us command.” Her publicist later confirmed that the change was a protest against Trump’s remarks. Kreviazuk explained her reasoning, saying, “Because I believe in democracy, and a sovereign nation should not have to be defending itself against tyranny and fascism.”
A Personal Statement
Kreviazuk, known for her heartfelt music, added that it was important for her to express herself authentically. “It wouldn’t be authentic for me to have a world stage and not express myself,” she said. She even wrote the altered phrase on her left hand in mascara as a reminder. “I’d love to see people get inspired and say their heart more in their art,” she said.
A Unifying Moment
After Canada’s dramatic overtime victory, the anthem echoed once more, but this time, no boos were heard. Instead, Canadian players and fans sang together in unity, proudly watching the flag rise.
Kreviazuk’s bold protest has sparked debate, with some supporting her stand while others question its appropriateness. Was this the right way to protest, or should she have kept quiet? The discussion continues.
