Photo Credit: Andrés Ibarra / CC by 4.0
Roger Waters is threatening legal action against proposed concert cancellations in Frankfurt and Munich.
The former Pink Floyd frontman has said he will take legal action against city authorities in Germany over the threatened cancellation of concerts after Roger Waters was accused of antisemitism, which he has staunchly denied. In February, the City of Frankfurt and the Munich City Council announced intentions to cancel scheduled concerts by Roger Waters, arguing that he was “one of the most widely known antisemites.”
Waters has long opposed Israel’s activity in Palestine, describing it as an “apartheid state” guilty of “ethnic cleansing,” and supports a cultural boycott of the country. Still, he has vehemently denied any antisemitism, claiming that his issue is with the Israeli government and not with Judaism, accusing Israel of “abusing the term antisemitism to intimidate people like me into silence.”
Still, Frankfurt’s council has highlighted Waters’ historical use of the Star of David branded onto a prop pig as part of his show. Waters was accused of antisemitism in 2013 for using the image but insisted that the pig represented “the evil of errant government” and also featured “the crucifix, the crescent and star, the hammer and sickle, the Shell Oil logo, the McDonald’s sign, a dollar sign, and a Mercedes sign.”
Waters is working with the Höcker law firm to fight against concert cancellations. Firm partner Ralf Höcker explained that they would file interim injunctions if venues or promoters receive instruction to cancel the concerts, which he says, “we’re very optimistic we’ll be successful” should they be filed.
“These actions are unconstitutional, without justification, and based upon the false accusation that Roger Waters is antisemitic, which he is not,” reads a joint statement from Waters’ management and Höcker. “Mr. Waters believes that if this blatant attempt to silence him is left unchallenged, it could have serious, far-reaching consequences for artists and activists all over the world.”
“The city of Munich is wasting taxpayer money on something that cannot be successful,” says Höcker. “The legal situation is really clear, and they’re still going forward with this, and that’s unacceptable.”
Currently, tickets for all of Roger Waters’ German tour dates are still available.