Given that Marilyn Manson‘s decision to brandish a fake rifle onstage with a microphone on it during his set at yesterday’s (November 06th) ‘Knotfest‘ event in San Bernardino, CA happened on the same day as the latest mass shooting in the United States, the backlash was rather immediate. Furthering the uproar was the past San Bernardino, CA mass shooting which left fourteen dead back in 2015.
In light of this, Manson has since issued the below statement on the matter (via Variety):
“In an era where mass shootings have become a nearly daily occurrence, this was an act of theater in an attempt to make a statement about how easily accessible semi-automatic weapons are and how seeing them has become normalized. My art has always been a reaction to popular culture and my way to make people think about the horrible things that happen in this world.
My performance was not meant to be disrespectful or show any insensitivity. The prop microphone I used on stage was handed to me with the approval of a police officer. My empathy goes out to anyone who has been affected by the irresponsible and reprehensible misuse of REAL guns.”
Comments