Roger Waters is getting support from his peers in the music industry and in other areas of the entertainment world.
A Change.org petition was started by comedian/writer Katie Halper titled “Let Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters Perform In Frankfurt, Germany.” Last month, Waters’s May 28 show in Frankfurt was canceled by the local city council.
The Frankfurt City Council said it canceled the show due to past comments Waters has made which they deemed anti-Semitic. The council referred to Waters in a statement as “one of the most far-reaching Anti-Semites of the world.”
The Change.org petition takes issue with referring to Waters as an Anti-Semite. It notes, in part, “Waters’ criticism of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is part of his long-term advocacy on behalf of human rights across the globe … The officials vilifying Waters are engaging in a dangerous campaign that purposely conflates criticism of Israel’s illegal and unjust policies with antisemitism.”
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The petition further notes, “This conflation perpetuates the antisemitic trope which presents Jews as a monolith who blindly support Israel. Some of Israel’s loudest critics are Jews. But those who weaponize antisemitism are fine contributing to it.”
This petition has been signed by a number of big names in music. Among them are Eric Clapton, Peter Gabriel, Nick Mason, Tom Morello and Brian Eno. Notable actors and comedians have also signed this petition. Among them are Susan Sarandon, Julie Christie, David Cross, Alia Shawkat and Lady Bunny.
Additionally, a competing petition was also launched titled “Ban Antisemite Roger Waters from Frankfurt.” This petition has received 46 signatures as of publishing, while the petition in support of Waters has received 11,353.