Bruce Springsteen denounced political violence on stage on Sunday night following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
The Born in the USA singer, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, made it clear that he does not condone political violence as he opened his concert in Austin, Texas on Sunday, the night after the shooting in Washington D.C.
“A prayer of thanks that our President, nor anyone in the administration, nor anyone attending, was injured at last night’s incident at the press correspondents’ dinner,” he said, according to a video posted on YouTube.
“We can disagree. We can be critical of those in power, and we can peacefully fight for our beliefs, but there is no place in any way, shape, or form for political violence of any kind in our beloved United States,” he added, as the crowd cheered.
During the annual event, held at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, a 31-year-old gunman rushed a security checkpoint and fired at agents before being apprehended. One Secret Service agent was shot in the chest but was saved by his body armour.
President Trump, his wife Melania, and other members of the administration were evacuated from the building, and the rest of the event was cancelled.
Springsteen continued his opening speech by criticising Trump and his administration, as is tradition at his current shows.
He told the crowd that they were determined to defend “American ideals and values” – such as democracy, the constitution and the rule of law – which they believe are “being challenged right now by a radical administration as never before”.
He encouraged the audience to choose hope over fear, truth over lies, unity over division, democracy over authoritarianism, and peace over war, before launching into his 1986 song War.
