WARSAW, Poland (AP) — British musician Sting interrupted a live performance in Warsaw on Saturday night to warn his viewers that democracy is beneath assault worldwide and to denounce the conflict in Ukraine as “an absurdity primarily based upon a lie.”
He requested a well-liked Polish actor, Maciej Stuhr, to return onstage to translate his warning that democracy is “in grave hazard of being misplaced except we defend it.”
“The choice to democracy is a jail, a jail of the thoughts. The choice to democracy is violence, oppression, imprisonment and silence,” Sting stated after which ran his hand throughout his neck in a throat-cutting gesture.
The 70-year-old delivered his message in a rustic that borders Ukraine, the place Russia launched its invasion on Feb. 24 that has killed tens of hundreds and displaced tens of millions. Poland has change into the place of refuge for extra Ukrainians than some other nation.
“The conflict within the Ukraine is an absurdity primarily based upon a lie. If we swallow that lie, the lie will eat us,” Sting stated. He seemed to be referring to justifications Russia has tried to present for its invasion, together with a Russian declare that it seeks to “de-Nazify” Ukraine, a democracy led by a Jewish president.
These within the viewers at Warsaw’s Nationwide Stadium would have additionally perceive a reference to their very own nation.
Sting drew sturdy applause particularly when he stated that democracy is one thing messy and irritating “however it's nonetheless price combating for.”
Poland’s populist authorities is usually accused by the European Union and human rights organizations of eroding democratic norms with its efforts to tighten management over the courts and media, cut back the reproductive rights of ladies and have interaction in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric.
After his speech he carried out “Fragile,” whose lyrics embrace the phrases that “nothing comes from violence and nothing ever may.”
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