Roger Waters in a Nazi-like uniform and a "rifle" (Photo: screenshot, Twitter)
Musician Roger Waters on Saturday strongly criticized the investigation into his recent concert in Berlin, arguing that the elements that caused a stir are actually a statement against fascism, and some of his shows since the 80s.
"My last performance in Berlin drew bad faith attacks from those who want to defame and silence me because they disagree with my political views and moral principles," Waters wrote on Twitter. "The elements in question from my performance are quite clearly a statement of opposition to fascism, injustice and bigotry of any kind. Attempts to portray them as something else are illogical and prevented from politics. The depiction of fascist demagoguery has been part of my performances since Pink Floyd's album 'The Wall' in 1980."
"I've dedicated my whole life to speaking out against authoritarianism and oppression everywhere I see them. When I was a child after the war, Anne Frank's name was often mentioned in our home, and she became a constant reminder of what happens when fascism is left unchecked. My parents fought against the Nazis in World War II, and my father paid the ultimate price," added Waters, whose father was killed during the war. "Regardless of the consequences of the attacks on me, I will continue to condemn injustice and all those responsible."
Berlin police announced the opening of an investigation into Waters on Monday after his appearance earlier this month in the city, during which he took to the stage wearing a costume reminiscent of a Nazi uniform. During one of the songs, Rogers donned a leather jacket with a red cloth sleeve resembling a swastika, and "fired" at the audience with an artificial rifle. During the May 17 concert in Germany, Waters even compared Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was shot dead in Jenin by IDF soldiers a year ago, to Anne Frank. Germany's Jewish community is furious and turbulent, and a large demonstration against him is planned in Frankfurt.
Waters allegedly resembled a scene from Pink Floyd's The Wall, but the law in Germany against Nazi symbols is strict and strict. A senior police official in Berlin said the case would be referred to the State Prosecutor's Office for review: "The context in which Waters wore the costume could be interpreted as glorifying the violent crimes of the Nazi regime, in a way that violates the dignity and memory of the murdered." An official statement from Israel's Foreign Ministry said: "Good morning to everyone except Roger Waters who spent the evening in Berlin (yes, Berlin) desecrating the memory of Anne Frank and the 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust."
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Roger Waters' appearance in Frankfurt was cancelled three months ago by the city council because he was "one of the world's greatest anti-Semites," as they put it, but last month a German court ordered the performance to take place as planned. In its ruling, the court ordered that while some of Waters' performance was in "bad taste," freedom of speech allowed the performance to take place.
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