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Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong told fans during a concert in London that he will renounce his United States citizenship, just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
For 50 years, Roe v. Wade set a legal precedent that guaranteed the right to an abortion in the U.S. Friday’s 6-3 decision by a majority conservative bench now leaves individual states open to ban or restrict abortion.
Armstrong, 50, addressed the widely criticized ruling during a Friday performance of the Hella Mega tour, whose other headliners include Weezer, Fall Out Boy, and others.
“F–k America. I’m f–king renouncing my citizenship. I’m f–king coming here,” Armstrong told U.K. concertgoers.
Speaking over cheers from the audience, Armstrong continued, “There’s too much f–king stupid in the world to go back to that miserable f–king excuse for a country.”
Armstrong seemed serious about his intentions, telling fans to be prepared: “You’re going to get a lot more of me in the coming days.”
#GreenDay #RoeVWade #hellamegatour
billie joe’s statement on roe vs wade at london hella mega tour last night pic.twitter.com/6cJx4oa6I1— oz | taught awsten wonderwall (@armstr0ngtyler) June 25, 2022
Green Day has long been critical of the U.S. government, especially conservative politics. Their 2004 hit American Idiot is an often-used protest song and was written in response to the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
According to British reports, Armstrong said, “F–k the Supreme Court of America” before playing the song.
Reactions to Armstrong’s announcement on social media were mixed, with some denouncing the decision and others finding it in line with Green Day’s politics. Others wondered if he will actually go through with it.
“F*** America, I’m f****** renouncing my citizenship,” lead vocalist and guitarist for Green Day @billiejoe said, as he called the US a “miserable f****** excuse for a country.”
Hey Billie Joe—this is the country that made your career.pic.twitter.com/eDVQzxseJm
— Julia 🇺🇸 (@Jules31415) June 27, 2022
