German police have initiated a criminal investigation into Roger Waters, co-founder of Pink Floyd, after he appeared in a Nazi-like costume during two concerts in Berlin last week. Waters donned the outfit while performing from Pink Floyd’s 1979 concept album “The Wall,” in which the protagonist hallucinates that he is a fascist dictator. The satirical routine has been a part of Waters’ solo shows for at least 30 years, including a famous 1990 live performance in Berlin. This week marks the first time the German government has launched a criminal investigation following his performance.
Berlin police spokeswoman Jennifer Bähle confirmed that Waters is being investigated for suspected incitement during concerts on May 17 and 18. The State Security Department at the Berlin State Criminal Police Office has initiated a criminal investigation procedure regarding the suspicion of incitement of the people, as stated in Paragraph 4 of the German criminal Code. The police argue that the context of the clothing worn is capable of approving, glorifying, or justifying the violent and arbitrary rule of the Nazi regime in a manner that violates the dignity of the victims and disrupts public peace.
A video from Waters’ performance at the Mercedes-Benz Arena shows the musician in a costume with a red armband featuring two crossed hammers—an image from Pink Floyd’s album “The Wall” that has been appropriated by racist skinhead groups, according to the Anti-Defamation League. In the video, Waters pretends to shoot into the crowd with a prop machine gun. Berlin police say this depiction is likely to glorify the rule of the National Socialists.
The performances in Germany sparked controversy before Waters arrived. He has consistently denied being antisemitic and recently visited the graves of anti-Nazi activists Sophie and Hans Scholl while on tour in Munich.
Despite Frankfurt city authorities demanding the cancellation of his concert there, a German court ruled in April that while Waters’ performance uses symbolism based on the National Socialist regime, it did not glorify or identify with Nazi racist ideology. Frankfurt’s Jewish community has organized a protest against his upcoming performance.
In a recent interview, Waters defended his stage attire, saying, “The idea that no one can dress up in a f**king Nazi uniform ever, to do anything, in a theater or a film, is ludicrous, obviously.” Podcaster Katie Halper added, “It’s a scathing critique, you are playing a villainous character.” Waters replied, “It’s a parody.”
Waters is scheduled to perform in Frankfurt on Sunday and in a series of concerts in the UK next week.
This report was published by CNN.com.
