A wave of anti-American sentiment is sweeping through Canadian sports arenas, as fans have begun booing The Star-Spangled Banner before games. The unusual display of protest comes in response to President Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian goods, which have stirred frustration across the country.
The trend started during Saturday’s NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the Minnesota Wild, where fans jeered through the American anthem. The same reaction was heard at a Red Wings-Canucks game in Vancouver and later at an NBA matchup between the Clippers and Raptors in Toronto. After booing the U.S. anthem, the crowd cheered loudly for O Canada.
One Raptors fan, Joseph Chua, told the Associated Press, “I've always stood during both anthems. I've taken my hat off to show respect to the American national anthem, but today we're feeling a little bitter about things.”
This is not the first time Canadian sports fans have expressed political frustrations through anthem protests. In past years, boos have been heard in response to various international events, from trade disputes to foreign policy decisions.
The reaction to the protests has been mixed. While some Canadians see it as a way to voice their discontent with U.S. policies, others argue that disrespecting a national anthem—especially one representing a close ally—crosses the line. Meanwhile, calls to boycott American products have gained traction among some Canadian consumers.
As tensions over trade continue to rise, it remains to be seen whether these protests will fade or become a new norm in the sports world.