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Booing of U.S. anthem continues at Canadian sports events despite tariff pause

The Canadian Press | Posted: February 5, 2025 1:53 AM | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

Fans at Toronto Raptors, Vancouver Canucks games jeer during 'Star-Spangled Banner'

Image | Raptors fans boo

Caption: Toronto fans boo the U.S. national anthem prior to first half NBA basketball action between the Raptors and the New York Knicks at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)

Canadian sports fans continued to voice their displeasure at American economic policies on Tuesday despite a pause in a trade war between Canada and the United States.
Boos echoed through Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Tuesday night as Elizabeth Irving launched into the opening notes of the U.S. national anthem before the Canucks hosted the Colorado Avalanche.
Fans cheered as she finished the song and the applause grew louder as Irving began "O Canada." Many joined the vocalist in singing the anthem and cheers erupted once again during the line "the land of the free."
The rink was one of three Canadian venues where "The Star-Spangled Banner" was jeered on Tuesday.
Fans at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena booed during the U.S. national anthem before the Raptors hosted the New York Knicks on Tuesday.
Loud cheers urged on the anthem singer when he began "O Canada!"
The strong reactions are likely in response to a looming trade war between Canada and the United States, sparked by executive orders from U.S. President Donald Trump over the weekend that threatened to raise tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports.
WATCH l Canucks fans boo American national anthem on Sunday:

Media | Vancouver Canucks fans boo U.S. national anthem

Caption: Loud boos from fans were caught on camera during the singing of the U.S. national anthem during the Vancouver Canucks-Detroit Red Wings game Sunday at Rogers Arena. Agasha Mutesasira, who was asked to perform it, describes how she felt.

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Talks between the three countries on Monday led to the American tariffs and retaliatory Canadian and Mexican tariffs being paused for a month.
It's the second time in a week Raptors fans have booed "The Star-Spangled Banner," after they voiced their displeasure before Sunday's 115-108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Fans also booed the U.S. anthem at Ottawa's Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday before the Senators shut out the Minnesota Wild 6-0. Then on Sunday night fans in Vancouver jeered the anthem before the Canucks lost to the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in overtime.
American fans returned the favour in Nashville on Monday before the Predators lost to Ottawa 5-2.
Later Tuesday, the Winnipeg Jets hosted the Carolina Hurricanes and the Colorado Avalanche were in Vancouver.

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