The alternative rock band Paramore shut down demands to "not policitize" the recent mass shooting at Club Q—a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado—stressing in an open letter posted to Twitter that "hatred and prejudice against any marginalized group is historically political."
Paramore went further, noting politicians and others in power "have a choice" to act just as those who perpetrate mass shootings have made "a choice in favor of hatred."
The band is known for making strong political statements.
Eearlier this month, lead singer Hayley Williams criticized Florida's "Don't Say Gay Law" during a concert by inserting the word "gay" into every song. Their latest statement was also a further indication of the frustration Americans feel about the nation's feckless approach to gun violence.
You can read the complete letter below.
The letter reads:
“When someone says not to politicize moments like the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs…"
"The hatred and the prejudice against any marginalized group is historically political. And did you think that these prejudices stop at the polls? It is a ‘chicken-or-the-egg’ type scenario."
"The sh*t that we take to our respective soapboxes echoes on forever. You’re either perpetuating love or perpetuating hatred. Anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric is hatred, be it in policy or a locker room conversation."
"Politicians and other powerful people have a choice. Just like walking into a nightclub full of human beings and taking their life was a choice in favor of hatred."
"If you spew hatred and it echoes, expect an infinite amount of potential outcomes. Including people coming to the conclusion that maybe it’s time to start holding people accountable for the way they use their power to divide and normalize hatred."
"Our hearts go out to the entire community in Colorado Springs. The LGBTQIA+ community and the families and friends who lost precious people who are more than just a statistic or a headline.”
Five people died during the attack on Club Q and at least 25 others were injured, most of them by gunfire.
The alleged shooter was charged with ten felony counts—five counts of murder and five counts of committing a bias-motivated crime causing bodily injury.
News outlets reported shortly after the shooting he is the grandson of outgoing California Republican State Assemblymember Randy Voepel, the former mayor of Santee, California who once compared the January 6 insurrection to the Revolutionary War.
This information has only amplified concerns about far-right radicalization and how being raised in an environment where hate and political violence are tolerated or even encouraged can lead people to commit horrific acts like mass murder.
Many praised the band for speaking out against anti-LGBTQ+ hatred.
Paramore's statement comes as many on the left continue to excoriate conservative politicians and media for fostering an environment that has made attacks against the LGBTQ+ community more commonplace.
Last week, Jamiee Michell—the founder of the anti-trans group Gays Against Groomers which claims to be "a coalition of gays against the sexualization, indoctrination and medicalization of children"—was harshly condemned after she claimed gender-affirming medical care is to blame for the shooting at Club Q.
Michell then absolved the alleged shooter, saying the LGBTQ+ community will continue to be the target of similar attacks so long as the “evil agenda” of gender-affirming care is allowed to continue.
