Based on a costume the co-founder of Pink Floyd wore while performing in Germany last week, on Friday (5.26) Berlin police have opened an investigation of Roger Waters on suspicion of incitement.
Images posted to social media depicted the rock icon firing an imitation machine gun while dressed in a long black coat with a red armband. Local police confirmed an investigation over suspicions that the context of the costume could represent a glorification, justification or approval of Nazi rule and therefore could constitute a disturbance of the public peace.
Once concluded, the police investigation case will be passed onto to Berlin prosecutors, who eill decide whether or not to pursue any formal charges.
Taking to social media, on Saturday (5.27,) Waters rejected the accusations via Instagram, stating that “the elements of my performance that have been questioned are quite clearly a statement in opposition to fascism, injustice, and bigotry in all its forms.” claiming that ”attempts to portray those elements as something else are disingenuous and politically motivated.”
In the past, the artist has incited anger for his support of the BDS movement, which calls for boycotts and sanctions against Israel but the famous musician has rejected accusations of antisemitism.
Scheduled for May 28, authorities in Frankfurt tried to prevent a concert but Waters successfully challenged that move in a local court. The city council of Munich stated that it had explored possibilities of banning the show but concluded that it wasn’t legally possible to cancel a contract with the organizer. Roger’s Sunday appearance was accompanied by a protest attended by the local Jewish community’s leader.
In 2022, the Polish city of Krakow canceled Waters shows because of his sympathetic stance toward Russia in its war against Ukraine.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Raph_PH