“You Are Not Welcome”: The Amity Affliction Call Out Fan For Wearing Trump T-Shirt At Gig
Singer Joel Birch said it "may as well be branded with a swastika."
The Amity Affliction vocalist Joel Birch is currently defending himself from criticism after calling out a fan mid-gig for wearing a pro Donald Trump t-shirt.
The metalcore band — who are currently in the midst of a US tour — were playing a show at Los Vegas’ Brooklyn Bowl on January 5 when Birch called out the fan to say they were not welcome. As Tone Deaf report, Birch took to Twitter to elaborate on why he made the comments after his Instagram DMs were bombarded with pro-Trump and pro-free speech messages.
“What I said tonight was much more balanced than I could have been, and wanted to be,” he wrote. “Just like I wouldn’t wear an atheist tee to church, I expect people to exercise a certain decorum when attending our shows. Music has forever been a safe haven for me, and I want our shows to be a safe haven for others.”
In a thread of Tweets, Birch compared the shirt to wearing a swastika, and said it acted as a symbol of hate against many people in the crowd.
“I do not respect your “beliefs.” I do not feel like you have the right to make others uncomfortable by wearing a jersey that may as well be branded with a swastika,” he wrote. “I will not remain silent if you come to our shows dressed like that.
“You can believe whatever you want to believe while you are outside the venue, but don’t you DARE bring your negative energy inside to intimidate and cause discomfort to others. I wish you didn’t like our band. I wish you hadn’t come to the show.
“I wish you could see the hurt you inflict on those around you from ethnic backgrounds, people of colour, Latinos, Hispanics, cholos, and open minded people who do not espouse your racist garbage.”
The fan in-question has outed himself on Twitter, calling Birch a “loser” and “libtard”. The Amity Affliction’s US tour continues into next month, before the Brisbane band return to Australia for Download Festival this March alongside Sum 41, Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Rise Against and many more.
Read the full Twitter thread below.
The Amity Affliction’s Joel Birch Statement via Twitter
What I said tonight was much more balanced than I could have been, and wanted to be. Just like I wouldn’t wear an atheist tee to church, I expect people to exercise a certain decorum when attending our shows. Music has forever been a safe haven for me, and I want our shows to be a safe haven for others.
These shows are no different to church; we sing together, we pour our hearts out, we use it as an escape from the reality of our everyday lives, and it brings us together. Wearing a jersey that you KNOW will be divisive is exactly the opposite of what I stand for as a person. I do not respect your “beliefs.” I do not feel like you have the right to make others uncomfortable by wearing a jersey that may as well be branded with a swastika. I will not remain silent if you come to our shows dressed like that.
You can believe whatever you want to believe while you are outside the venue, but don’t you DARE bring your negative energy inside to intimidate and cause discomfort to others. I wish you didn’t like our band. I wish you hadn’t come to the show. I wish you could see the hurt you inflict on those around you from ethnic backgrounds, people of colour, Latinos, Hispanics, cholos, and open minded people who do not espouse your racist garbage.
I love Amity fans, they give us this unique and beautiful opportunity to play music, but I WILL NOT stand for people jeopardising the happiness of others, and ruining their experience at one of our shows. To put it simply, you are not welcome.