Former Anti-Flag bassist/vocalist Chris “No. 2” Barker has issued a new statement regarding the circumstances that broke up the politically active punk band back in 2023 and the aftermath of those events and how they handled them. In July of 2023, the group dissolved following the revelation of a then anonymously made sexual assault allegation against their vocalist Justin Sane (aka Justin Geever).
In statements that followed, Sane denied the allegations, while the band claimed they were “shocked” by them, stating that they had no prior knowledge of his behavior. An exposé published by Rolling Stone in September of 2023 found over a dozen women come forward with allegations of their own against Sane.
Meanwhile, his initial public accuser, Kristina Sarhadi, filed a sexual assault lawsuit against him in the fall of 2023. However, it was claimed by Sarhadi that Sane was extremely evasive in being served papers for that suit, allegedly ultimately fleeing the country.
She would also go on to sue the band’s other members and business apparatus for negligence, though those charges were dismissed. This past July, after failing to answer the complaint filed against him by Sarhadi, Sane was ordered to pay $1.9 million to her.r
In a new statement shared today, November 01st, Barker prefaced his statement with the comment:
“There has been a lot of work happening the last 2 years, much of it in private and at an intentional pace. I hope this letter can be part of a step forward.”
As for his full statement, it read:
“I want to acknowledge the harm my former bandmate caused, and I am truly sorry that our response to it did not center the needs of survivors. I am grateful that this person’s true nature was exposed, and I recognize the importance of accountability — something he has not yet taken for himself.
I recognize that our initial public statement caused harm and disappointment, and I deeply regret the pain we contributed to. I regret not recognizing the warning signs of his depravity, and wish I had been more aware of the ways in which my privilege contributed to a false sense of safety around him. Regardless of the intentions, harm was caused, and I am sorry. I am sorry for the pain and betrayal experienced by survivors, and support them in demanding justice and healing. I respect their courage for sharing their truth.
This experience has left me feeling emotionally stuck and uncertain, but it has also motivated me to learn and change. I am committed to asking better questions, listening more deeply, and ensuring that I do not overlook signs of dishonesty or harm in others. I recognize that harmful behaviors rooted in patriarchy and narcissism are deeply connected to systems of oppression, and that we must continually challenge them. I believe in the importance of ongoing healing and justice for survivors.
Through the accountability sessions Chris, Pat, and I have engaged in with those survivors who have chosen to sit in with us, I continue to have hope that we can work toward collective accountability and repair. I am grateful for the patience and grace shown by those involved in the transformative justice work we have engaged in over the last 2 years, and I remain dedicated to supporting that process moving forward. To the survivors we have not spoken to, we believe you, and I am sorry if we let you down. We only have empathy and compassion for you and your path forward to healing.
To anyone affected by this, I offer my sincere empathy and regret. I acknowledge the pain and trauma that often accompanies situations like these and I will strive to hold space for your healing. Personally, this has been a painful journey — one that has deeply challenged my trust and faith in relationships — but I am committed to working through my own trauma with care and responsibility.
To those who believed in the band and the community we shared, I want to express my deep gratitude. I am ashamed of what has happened, but I am also attempting to grow from it. I do not yet know what my path with art or music will look like, but I only wish to lead with love and walk with kindness and beauty.
It is a difficult time in this world.
Please be gentle with yourselves and each other.”
