A Nassau lawmaker says allowing Pink Floyd rocker Roger
Waters to perform at the Nassau Coliseum would be in violation of a local law
that takes a stand against Israeli discrimination.
Legislator Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence) said in a statement
that Waters is a “notorious front-man for the BDS (boycott, divestment,
sanctions) movement” and called him a “virulent antisemite.”
Members of the BDS movement support the boycott of Israeli
goods and services.
“He
maintains that he is not antisemitic, yet one of his primary images is an
inflatable pig that floats above his concerts emblazoned with the Star of
David,” Kopel told News 12 Long Island.
Earlier this year, the Nassau County Legislature passed a
law that prohibits the county from doing business with anyone involved in the
BDS movement. Since the Coliseum is owned by the county, officials say they
will take legal action to block Waters from performing.
News 12 reached out to both the handlers of Roger Waters
and to the promoter that schedules events at the Coliseum, but did not hear
back.
The shows are scheduled for Sept. 15 and 16.
