76ers apologize to singer not allowed to perform national anthem while wearing a ‘We Matter’ jersey

The Philadelphia 76ers have apologized to singer Sevyn Streeter, who said the organization canceled her scheduled performance of the national anthem at the last minute Wednesday night because she was wearing a “We Matter” jersey.

"We are sorry that this happened,” the organization stated. “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. 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. We are waiting to hear back."

The Associated Press is reporting Streeter will be allowed to wear her “We Matter” jersey if she takes the team up on its offer.

Streeter posted a video on Twitter of herself wearing the jersey on Wednesday night and explaining her side of what happened just before tip-off for the 76ers’ season opener against Oklahoma City at the Wells Fargo Center.

The 30-year-old singer and songwriter told the Associated Press by phone: “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. I was never given any kind of dress code. I was never asked beforehand to show my wardrobe.”

She added: “I was angry, extremely, extremely angry and disappointed and honestly brought to tears by all of it. It broke my heart,” she said. “Honestly, I was very excited about being able to perform the national anthem. I was really looking forward to that.”

Jemila Worley, a 76ers dance team member, ended up singing the anthem.

The 76ers did not give an explanation for the move, but said in a statement:

“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. As we move from symbolic gestures to action, we will continue to leverage our platform to positively impact our community.”

Just four days earlier, the 76ers were in Miami for an exhibition game against the Heat when singer Denasia Lawrence knelt and opened her jacket to reveal a “Black Lives Matter” T-shirt while performing the anthem before the game.

Streeter told the AP: “I also felt it was important to express the ongoing challenges and ongoing injustice we face as a black community within the United States of America — that's very important to me. Yes, we live in the greatest country in the world, but there are issues that we cannot ignore. This can't be ignored.”

charles.schilken@latimes.com

Twitter: @chewkiii

UPDATES:

9:50 a.m.Oct. 28: This article was updated with the 76ers issuing an apology.

This article was originally published on Oct. 27 at 8:40 a.m.