On Wednesday (Oct. 26), Sevyn Streeter was scheduled to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Philadelphia 76ers home opener. But an obstacle was thrown her way after she stated that the organization refused to let her perform because of her jersey’s message, that reads “We Matter.”
In a response to the Associated Press, the “It Won’t Stop” singer expressed her disappointment with the organization’s decision. “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,” she said. “I was never given any kind of dress code. I was never asked beforehand to show my wardrobe.”
Although the 76ers swiftly published their own response, the entity has returned to tack an apology on their former statement.
“We are sorry that this happened,” the statement reads, per TIME. “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.”
View Sevyn’s original video below.
Was suppose to sing the anthem at @sixers & @okcthunder game but mins b4 @sixers said I couldn’t because I was wearing a “We Matter” jersey pic.twitter.com/wjoJN3rq0r
— Sevyn (@sevyn) October 27, 2016