Officials trying to cancel Roger Waters' Nassau Coliseum show over stance on Israel
Roger Waters makes no secret of his politics, and his outspoken, controversial views on Israel have gotten him into a few tiffs, including one recently with Radiohead. That stance on Israel could get his upcoming show at Nassau Coliseum canceled, if Nassau County Attorney Carnell Foskey has his way. From Newsday:
Nassau lawmakers passed a bill this year that bars companies from doing business with the county if they support the BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) movement. “By enabling Mr. Waters to perform, NEC has given Mr. Waters a forum or platform to express his BDS ideology,” Foskey wrote in a letter Tuesday to NEC.
Legis. Howard J. Kopel (R-Lawrence) said allowing Waters to perform at a county-run facility “offends the sense of decency held by our residents.”
Hempstead Town Councilman Bruce Blakeman, who has written to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson calling for Waters’ U.S. visa to be revoked, urged Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano to ban the artist from the Coliseum.
Spokesmen for both Waters and Nassau Coliseum declined comment on Newsday‘s story. Waters’ stance on Isreal also had the city of Miami cancel the youth participation in his concert there (he has kids sing on “Another Brick in the Wall (Pt II)”). The Greater Miami Jewish Federation accused Waters of being an “outspoken proponent” of the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. “Mr. Waters, your vile messages of anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism and hatred are not welcome in our community. We in Miami are better than that.”
As it stands, Roger’s tour has four NYC-area shows, including Nassau Coliseum, NJ’s Prudential Center, and two shows at Barclays Center.
