Roger Waters.Photo:Adam Berry/Redferns via Getty
Adam Berry/Redferns via Getty
Musician Roger Waters ofPink Floydhas been accused of promoting antisemitism at a recent set of shows in Germany — though those familiar with the group say the rocker was in character as Pink from the band’s rock operaThe Wall.
Waters was filmed at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on May 17 and 18 wearing a long black coat and red armband, with insignias that featured crossed hammers instead of swastikas during a two-day stint in Berlin,according toBillboard. In a skit between songs, the 79-year-old British bassist and singer also pretended to shoot a fake machine gun.
Prior to the start of the show, thePink Floyd singertook to the stage with the following message, “The show will start in 10 minutes and a court in Frankfurt has ruled that I am not an antisemite… just to be clear, I condemn antisemitism unreservedly.”
Police in Germany and Israeli authorities have since launched an investigation into the incident, theyconfirmed to Reuters. Use ofNazi imagerycarries strict penalties in Germany — punishable up to three years in prison, though exceptions are made in the law for educational and artistic reasons. In Germany, Waters is currently being investigated under a separate law on suspicion of “incitement of the people.”
Waters' costume “is deemed capable of violating the dignity of the victims, as well as approving, glorifying or justifying the violent and arbitrary rule of the Nazi regime in a way that disrupts public peace,” a police spokespersontold Reuters. The police will gather evidence for around three months,The Guardianreports, at which point the state prosecutor will decide if the information is “considered an incitement to hatred.”
A rep for Waters did not immediately return request for comment.
source: people.com
