Canadian sports fans continue to boo the American national anthem. Next week, the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament gets underway, with thousands of kids participating. Now, city officials are urging spectators and the public to consider how they should behave.
Since Donald Trump implemented a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, tensions between the countries have been high. Canadian hockey fans have made their stance clear by booing the American national anthem at both NBA and NHL games. It doesn’t seem like sports fans will stop anytime soon, and in Quebec City, there are concerns about an upcoming event.
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The Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament will take place from Feb. 12 to 23 in Quebec City. Thousands of players aged 11 and 12 will compete in the 65th edition of the tournament. The ongoing anthem booing in Canadian arenas has city officials in Quebec worried, and now, they are urging spectators not to boo the young players.
“These are kids with no ties to politics,” said Julie Hamel, deputy director of the Pee-Wee Tournament, per CBC.
Urges fans to stop booing
Around 40 teams from the U.S. will compete in the tournament.
“We don’t want these young people to step onto the ice during the opening ceremony and hear people booing their national anthem,” Hamel said.
“It’s kind of like breaking their dreams. We don’t want them to go home with that memory.”
Bruno Marchand, Quebec City’s mayor, is also urging people to be respectful toward the young players.
“We can understand why people would want to send a message… However, Donald Trump is not all Americans, and Americans are not Donald Trump. I don’t think it sends the right message, especially considering these are children playing as well,” Marchand said.
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