This was shocking to see.
At recent hockey games in Canada, a troubling scene unfolded as fans, upset over tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, made their displeasure known by booing the U.S. National Anthem. The tradition of playing the American anthem before the Canadian one during games between U.S. and Canadian teams was marred by this unprecedented display of hostility.
The incident occurred during a matchup between the Ottawa Senators and the Minnesota Wild. As the Star-Spangled Banner echoed through the arena, the crowd responded with loud boos, a rare and startling occurrence. Afterward, the same fans who jeered the American anthem enthusiastically joined in to sing the Canadian anthem in unison. This disheartening spectacle was repeated just days later at the Calgary Flames’ game against the Detroit Red Wings, where fans in the stands again made their disdain for the U.S. anthem clear.
For many Canadians, this type of public protest is uncharacteristic. According to foreign policy expert Ian Bremmer, the only other time he recalls Canadians booing the U.S. anthem was during the Iraq War, highlighting how unusual and politically charged this behavior is.
While it’s understandable that people may feel frustrated or upset by economic policies, it’s crucial to remember that the U.S. and Canada share a long history of cooperation and friendship, especially in matters of trade and security. These boos at sporting events, while attention-grabbing, serve to deepen division rather than solve the issues at hand. It’s important that we foster a spirit of respect and understanding, especially when our nations are intertwined by such a strong bond of alliance.
WATCH:
The crowd at the #Sens game in Ottawa boo’s the U.S. National anthem. Then belts out the Canadian anthem. Tariffs related? #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/M6Zv2EXVpE
— Claire Hanna (@clahanna) February 2, 2025