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Singer Claims Sixers Deny Her Anthem Performance Due To 'We Matter' Jersey

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --  The Sixers season opener is causing a stir this morning.

All eyes were on Joel Embiid as he made his debut, but it isn't just his performance that has people talking.

It's what happened before tip off when the national anthem singer who was supposed to perform was replaced last minute.

R&B singer Sevyn Streeter took to Twitter on Wednesday night as the Sixers took on the Oklahoma City Thunder in their season and home opener.

She claims that she was supposed to sing the national anthem at the game, but was denied the opportunity to do so by the organization because she was wearing a jersey that read "We Matter."

Streeter says she chose the jersey as a way to express ongoing challenges faced by the black community.

A Sixers dance team member wound up singing the national anthem prior to tip-off.

Many in the crowd didn't realize she was the back-up.

Sixers, Heat Anthem Singer Kneels, Wears 'Black Lives Matter' Shirt While Singing

The Sixers released a statement following the incident, but declined to say exactly why the singer wound up not singing the anthem:

"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."

Sixers fans weighed in on the controversy.

Kenon Gebizlioglu says, "I think everyone has the right to protest in the way that they want to, so I think it's unfortunate decision that they made. However, it was probably spur of the moment."

"We all matter, all of our lives matter. Black lives do matter, but if that's what she wanted to do I think in that instance she needed to let the Sixers organization know," adds Stephen Howard.

Streeter says she was never given a dress code and the Sixers never asked to see her wardrobe beforehand.

However, a source says Streeter, like other performers, sign an agreement that prohibit them from making political statements. The source says she refused alternatives given. And there was no issue if she wanted to wear the shirt in the stands as long as it wasn't while performing.

KYW Newsradio's Tim Jimenez contributed to this report.

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