2023-05-27 14:03:00
Pink Floyd co-founder
Homage to the SS uniform? Roger Waters defends himself against suspicions of hate speech
Rock star Roger Waters denies the allegations of hate speech.
© Victoria Jones/DPA
The criticism of Roger Waters never ends. Recently, a stage outfit by the Pink Floyd co-founder had caused a stir: it was reminiscent of the SS uniform. Now the singer comments on the allegations.
The controversial rock star Roger Waters, 79, defends himself against the suspicion of hate speech. “The elements of my performance that were questioned are clearly a statement against fascism, injustice and bigotry in all its forms,” said a statement released by a lawyer for Waters on Saturday.
“The portrayal of a deranged fascist demagogue has been a feature of my shows since Pink Floyd’s The Wall in 1980,” Waters said. “The attempt to portray these elements as something else is disingenuous and politically motivated.”
On Friday it became known that the Berlin police had started investigations against the Pink Floyd co-founder on suspicion of sedition. The background is the musician’s stage clothing during his concerts on May 17th and 18th in the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin. The police began investigating after information from the public.
Stage outfit was reminiscent of SS uniform
In videos on social media, Waters can be seen wearing a long black coat with epaulettes and a red armband featuring a white circle with a symbol. Two men dressed in black hand him a fake gun, which he then shoots around with. “This combination of clothing looked very similar to an SS uniform,” said a police spokesman. However, the symbol was not a swastika.
“The initial suspicion is that the clothing is likely to violate the dignity of the victims of National Socialism, to glorify National Socialism and thus disturb public peace,” said the spokesman for the authorities.
In his new statement, Waters emphasizes that he has “spent his entire life speaking out against authoritarianism and oppression wherever I see it. In my post-war childhood, the name Anne Frank was often mentioned in our house, and it became a constant A reminder of what happens when fascism runs rampant. My parents fought the Nazis in World War II, with my father paying the ultimate price.”
More and more allegations of anti-Semitism
Waters has recently been repeatedly accused of anti-Semitism. There has been a lot of criticism of the British musician’s concerts nationwide. In Frankfurt, for example, Waters’ concert on May 28 was initially canceled due to allegations of anti-Semitism. The 79-year-old singer had sued against the decision and was right. In its decision, the Frankfurt administrative court referred, among other things, to artistic freedom.
Among other things, Waters has been criticized for his proximity to the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) campaign, which calls for a comprehensive boycott of the State of Israel. At concerts, the singer also released pig-shaped balloons with a Star of David.
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