Miami

Miami Beach Teens Won't Share Stage With Roger Waters at AAA Concert

Greater Miami Jewish Federation accuses Pink Floyd frontman of anti-Semitism

A group of Miami Beach teens who were set to share the stage with rocker Roger Waters at his AmericanAirlines Arena show Thursday night won't be participating, city officials said.

The twelve drama participants from the Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Teen Club were pulled out of the Waters event after the Greater Miami Jewish Federation accused him of anti-Semitism over his alleged anti-Israel beliefs.

"In light of recent information surrounding this event, the Miami Beach Parks & Recreation Teen Club will no longer be participating," the city said in a statement Thursday. "Miami Beach is a culturally diverse community and does not tolerate any form of hate."

Waters, the co-founder and former frontman of Pink Floyd, is scheduled to perform at the arena as part of his Us + Them Tour. The teens were expected to participate in a dress rehearsal, receive autographed photos and have orchestra pit seating.

A message on the Jewish Federation’s website urged Waters to stop using his platform to "spout venomous and hateful rhetoric, employing anti-Semitic symbols and anti-Israel language during your performances."

"Mr. Waters, your vile messages of anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism and hatred are not welcome in our community,” the post said. "We in Miami are better than that!"

In a 2013 Facebook post, Waters wrote that he is "anti-war, anti-apartheid, anti-racist, pro human rights, pro peace and pro self-determination for all peoples" but not anti-Israel or anti-Semitic.

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