Singer Not Allowed To Peform Anthem At 76ers Opener Due To 'We Matter' Shirt

Controversy embroiled the start of the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener on Wednesday night when the woman scheduled to sing the national anthem was removed from the docket because of her attire.

Singer Sevyn Streeter said that the 76ers organization told her that she wasn't aloud to sing the national anthem because she was wearing a " We Matter" jersey.

In a statement issued after the game, the organization did not specify why they did not allow Sevyn to perform:

"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."

Streeter told ESPN that the Sixers did not provide her with a dress code before the performance was scheduled.

"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," Streeter told ESPN. "Yes, we live in the greatest country in the world, but there are issues that we cannot ignore. This can't be ignored."

The Sixers lost a close-fought game to the Oklahoma Thunder, 103-97. In his debut, star center Joel Embiid scored 20 points and pulled down seven rebounds.

Image courtesy Philadelphia 76ers.