At a demonstration outside the U.K. embassy in New York City on Saturday, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd lambasted the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, as he reiterated support for Julian Assange. The WikiLeaks founder’s persecution by the U.S. Government has now lasted well over 10 years with the collaboration of multiple governments across the globe as a response to the revelation of government lies and corruption by WikiLeaks.
“Without basic human rights for all of our brothers and sisters all over the world irrespective of their color, religion or nationality, we might as well be alone. That is why we’re standing shoulder to shoulder outside the British embassy in New York City alongside our brother, Julian Assange. So Julian, thank you for standing up to the man on our behalf these last 10 years. You are not alone. Here today on 2nd Avenue in New York [City], and neither are we,” Waters said.
Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters speaking at today’s vigil in support of Julian Assange in New York pic.twitter.com/WaGfmp2D0j
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) December 10, 2022
(Source video captured by @bgonthescene)
“We are many and we have a message to Vanessa Baraitser. That apology for a magistrate that sent you down in that kangaroo court in London: Ms. Baraitser, you are a disgrace to the legal profession,” Waters declared. “F**k you.”
“Sorry. Sorry, I apologize,” Waters continued before lambasting former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, in addition to the current UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.
“In London in Parliament Square back in 2020 I wasted a few words on Boris Johnson, who was then the United States tame poodle in Parliament. He ignored the law and did the bidding of his masters in Washington. Today, the current pitiful British poodle, Rishi Sunak, is equally well-trained and pitiable,” Waters said.
“Vishi, sit! Good boy,” Waters joked before he became serious again. “What about the law, Mr. Sunak? What about Magna Carta? What about basic human rights, Mr. Sunak? You’re a fu**ing wolf, Rishi.”
“Free Julian Assange!” chants outside the British Consulate in New York City this afternoon pic.twitter.com/ClfHt4Zmfl
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) December 10, 2022
“Last week there was a glimmer of light in the mainstream media, the New York Times, Le Monde, The Guardian, Der Spiegel and El País published an open letter in dropping some of the charges against Julian. “Welcome to the party guys, where the f**k have you been all these years? All these years when your colleague Julian Assange needed you. Where were all your editorials exalting the people to take to the streets in the millions before the dungeon door slammed shut on free speech forever? I sincerely hope your half-ass letter is not just a whimper to cover your own sorry asses,” Waters said.
“I hope so. We shall see,” the rockstar added.
Rogers Waters comments on the recent open letter from The New York Times, Der Spiegel, The Guardian and other outlets calling on the U.S. government to end their prosecution of Assange, saying “Welcome to the party guys, where the f*** have you been all these years?” pic.twitter.com/slBvLA1yma
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) December 10, 2022
Waters has proven himself to be unafraid of making use of his 1st Amendment right. In March 2022, Waters attended the “Transcending the Israel Lobby at Home & Abroad” conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
“How cool to be in a room with so many people who actually care about human rights. That is the basic foundation of everything that any of us here in this room today are interested in or do. Palestine is the arena, and the oppression of the Palestinian people,” Waters said.
Roger Waters of Pink Floyd discusses the "Transcending The Israeli Lobby" conference at The National Press Club.#PinkFloyd #RogerWaters #NationalPressClub #NationalPress #Israel #DC #Palestine #FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/aWO7sV1bB1
— Addy Adds (@OneAddyAdds) March 5, 2022
“But this extends globally, to philosophical questions about whether the future of the planet might rest on whether we, human beings, actually care about one another. If we do, obviously, we have to stand up with people in their fight against the genocide and apartheid oppression by the State of Israel,” Waters said.
"LEAVE THE KIDS ALONE!"
– Pink Floyd#DefeatTheMandates #defeatthemandatesDC #DefeattheMandate #WashingtonDC pic.twitter.com/QzU2oYGG7A
— Addy Adds (@OneAddyAdds) January 24, 2022