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Garbage’s Shirley Manson is speaking out against “intolerance” after the tragic mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
The rock band performed a show at Sydney Opera House on Sunday, Dec. 14 just hours after the shooting that killed at least 15 people and injured 40 others. Manson, 49, addressed the horrific incident while speaking to the crowd, according to videos from the concert.
“This has become an astoundingly frightening, violent, hateful, intolerant world,” she began. “And I think the only thing we can do really, as people who do not believe in all this separation and all this intolerance, all we can really do is really try and profess our love for one another.”
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Manson added, “We have been a band that have always believed that we are one people under one sun. It doesn’t matter what god you worship, or color of your skin, or what your gender is, or what your sexual orientation is, what food you like to eat, what clothes you like to wear, how you like to hang your junk, whether you like to wear a bra or not wear a bra.”
“But you get my point,” she continued, “it’s all so f—ing stupid.”
“We have people in power telling us to really hate one another, and destroy one another,” said Manson.
Earlier in the day, two gunmen — whom police said were father and son — opened fire on the crowd in Archer Park at Bondi Beach. People were gathered at the beach to attend the Jewish festival of Hanukkah by the Sea.
At least 15 people were killed and 40 people injured, with victims’ ages ranging from 10 to 87 years old, BBC News, Sky News and Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.
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Garbage also took to Instagram and spoke about the devastating event. “Six of our very own, beloved and close family members were at Bondi Beach just a few hours before this horrendous incident took place yesterday on the first night of Hanukkah here in Sydney, Australia,” wrote the band.
“Our hearts go out to the victims and their surviving families who are now dealing with unfathomable loss and heartbreak,” continued the statement. “We love you so much Sydney.”
The band added, “F— all this vile antisemitism. F— Islamophobia. The killing has to stop. It is insane and wildly cruel. We have to find a way forward. We simply can’t go on hurting one another like this. If you live in Sydney , please consider donating blood as soon as possible. We love you. Stay soft. Give Blood.”
