In case you needed any more proof that the right-wing is compromised of brain worm-ridden troglodytes, this should be all the convincing you need. Over the weekend, Aaron Dessner of The National was accused by right-wing twitter account of being an “Antifa organizer caught on camera appearing to pay some kids to riot.”
These past few days have seen protests unfold internationally in response to the death of unarmed black man George Floyd at the hands of a police officer.
Though it has been suggested that the root tweet that caused the bizarre rumour that the dad-rock guitarist was a joke, the sentiment caught on like wildfire, with many right-wingers taking the joke as scripture. It all stems from a video that was shared featuring an Antifa protestor that vaguely resembles Dessner.
“Meet @aaron_dessner he’s an Antifa organizer paying people to riot!!” one Twitter user wrote, posting a picture of the alleged culprit and tagging Dessner. “He needs to be arrested NOW!!”
Another user chimed in.“That’s Aaron Dessner the guitarist for The National!” they wrote. “What’s he doing at the Race Riots?”
Dessner took to social media in response to the accusations, clearing his name of any Antifa affiliation. “I’m very fortunate and grateful to wake up every morning in the rural countryside I live in, looking at farmland and these beautiful mountains. I’ve been here for three months now isolating with my wife and young children,” he wrote.
“This morning I’ve woken up to the unpleasant and surprising news that I’ve been misidentified by some social media users as someone seen encouraging rioting in Columbus, Ohio – I am not the person some are suggesting I am and I would never support violence of any kind. Nor have I been in Ohio since June 2019.”
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Though Dessner expressed his support for the Black Lives Matter protests, “However, I do fully support peaceful protests and activism against endemic racism and racially motivated violence in this country, which somehow continues generation after generation after generation.
He added “Like so many, I’m hoping for peaceful resolution and actual process addressing these persistent issues in our society.”
The National will be touring Australia in December with support from Phoebe Bridgers. You can find the tour dates below.
The National
2020 Australian Tour
Thursday, December 10
First State Super Theatre at ICC, Sydney
Saturday, December 12
Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
Sunday, December 13
Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
Tuesday, December 15
Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Wednesday, December 16
Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Thursday, December 17
Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Saturday, December 19
Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
Sunday, December 20th
Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
