Roger Waters Takes Heat Over Politics

Local government officials are trying to get Roger Waters’ upcoming concert at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., canceled because of his political views.

Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP – Roger Waters
Roger Waters plays Staples Center in Los Angeles June 20.

Waters is an outspoken member of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement that advocates for Palestinian populations in occupied territories, effectively trying to reduce support for the Israeli government.

Earlier this year though, Nassau lawmakers approved legislation that penalizes companies for supporting BDS.

Now Nassau County Attorney Carnell Foskey has threatened sue Nassau Events Center if they go forward with the shows, according to Newsday. Those sentiments were echoed by Legis. Howard J. Kopel of Lawrence, N.Y., who was quoted by the paper as saying the performance “offends the sense of decency held by our residents.”

One lawmaker from Hempstead, N.Y., reportedly wrote to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, requesting Waters’ visa be revoked.

The upcoming shows were still scheduled for Sept. 15-16, and Coliseum reps couldn’t be reached for comment at press time.