Neil Young is speaking out about the Capitol Hill riots that took place on January 6. The 75-year-old penned an essay on his website, Neil Young Archives , and called out President Donald Trump for his complicit behavior.
The musician also points a finger at social media and blames it for the political unrest in America.
Neil Young has been rather outspoken in regard to American politics.
Back in February 2020, the Canadian-born musician called Donald Trump a “disgrace to my country” in an open letter published to his website.
“Your mindless destruction of our shared natural resources, our environment, and our relationships with friends around the world is unforgivable,” he continued.
Now, Neil is taking to his website again to share an emotional open letter to the president, and to the country.
Speaking in reference to the Capitol riots last week, he began, “Sadness and compassion hit me last night as I watched fellow Americans telling their story.”
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“This, to me, is beyond my own feelings that our president has betrayed the people, exaggerated and amplified the truth to foment hatred … We don’t need this hate.”
“We need discussion and solutions. Respect for one another’s beliefs. Not hatred.”
In reference to the police brutality shown at the Black Lives Matter protests across the country this past summer, Neil wrote, “I was devastated to see the double standard. The way people were treated in the BLM demonstrations recently, compared to the other day.”
“There is no place here for White Supremacy. People need each other to be truly free. Hatred will never find Freedom.”
“I was shocked to see the Confederate flag being waved inside the chamber; the destruction and disrespect. But mostly I felt bad for the people. With Social media, issues are turned to psychological weapons and used to gather hatred in support of one side or the other. That is what Donald J. Trump has as his legacy.”
“I still have my strong beliefs,” he explained, “That has not changed.”
“But now I feel empathy for the people who have been so manipulated and had their beliefs used as political weapons. I may be among them. I wish internet news was two-sided. Both sides represented on the same programs.”
“Social media, at the hands of powerful people — influencers, amplifying lies and untruths, is crippling our belief system, turning us against one another. We are not enemies. We must find a way home.”
Read the entire essay here .
