Cllr Anthony Okereke has written to share the concerns that Jewish community leaders and residents have raised about Roger Waters' upcoming concerts at the O2. 

Dear Mr Hill,

RE: Roger Waters concerts 6, 7 and 8 June

I am writing to share with you the concerns that Jewish community leaders and residents have raised regarding the upcoming Roger Waters concerts at the o2. These are significant and legitimate concerns, which I share. 

Even before his decision to perform in a Nazi-style uniform in Berlin, many of Waters past performances have featured provocative symbols including flying pigs emblazoned with the Star of David. Waters himself as a long history of making statements that have been widely regarded as engaging either in anti-Jewish racism or in antisemitic conspiracies. 

These provocations only serve to project further harmful stereotypes and fuel hatred and division within society. This is deeply concerning considering the Jewish community in the UK continues to experience record amounts of anti-Jewish hate. 

The Royal Borough of Greenwich is made up of many diverse communities and one of our missions as a Council is to ensure that people will not experience discrimination. We are committed to stamping out all forms of hate crime and discrimination. I ask that, not just as one of our partners, but as a significant entertainment venue within our borough, that you stand with us in this commitment and uphold the Royal Borough of Greenwich as a safe, welcoming and inclusive place. 

I therefore urge you, as a responsible organisation, to take all necessary steps you can to ensure the scenes witnessed at Roger Waters concert in Germany are not replicated in our Borough or in any of your other venues.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Anthony Okereke
Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich

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