More And More Artists Call For Roger Waters Concert Ban To Be Reversed

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The list of musicians signing a petition to reverse the decision by council officials to cancel Roger Waters’ concert in Frankfurt continues to grow.

Last month, the city council cancelled the former Pink Floyd singer’s show at Festhalle in Frankfurt on May 28, having described Waters as “one of the world’s most widely-known antisemites”. 

This notice was also served over Waters’ boycott of Israel, along with comparisons of Israel to aprtheid South Africa, anti semtitic views at shows and talks with Hamas-affiliated media.

Waters Stands For “all our brothers and sisters” 

Following this, a petition to reverse this decision was launched by US comedian Katie Halper, and has been signed by the likes of Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, Peter Gabriel, Brian Eno, Soft Machine’s Robert Wyatt, along with Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine.

Actors Susan Sarandon and Julie Christie have also added their names to this petition, along with movie director Ken Loach, comedian Alexei Sayle, and academics Cornel West and Noam Chomsky.

You can also access this petition here. A second petition which opposes the first one, has also been launched.

A blurb accompanying this petition also reads the following.

“Waters’ criticism of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is part of his long-term advocacy on behalf of human rights across the globe”, it states.

“Waters believes ‘that all our brothers and sisters, all over the world irrespective of the colour of their skin or the depth of their pockets deserve equal human rights under the law”.  

“With regard to Israel and Palestine, he says, ‘My platform is simple: it is implementation of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights for all our brothers and sisters between the Jordan River and the sea. Antisemitism is odious and racist and I condemn it, along with all forms of racism, unreservedly”. 

“Officials in Germany, concert organisers, and music platforms must not succumb to the pressure of those individuals and groups who would rather see Waters’ music removed than engage with the issues his music highlights”. 

Following their decision to cancel the concert, Roger Waters also threatened legal action against Frankfurt city council. See more here.