Dee Snider has expressed his support for the people of Ukraine. The Twisted Sister frontman also said he applauds the use of his song “We’re Not Gonna Take It” as a rallying cry for Ukrainians in their fight against Russia.
“I totally agree that Ukrainians use ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’ as their rallying cry. My grandfather was Ukrainian before the country was swallowed up by the USSR after World War II. The rocker tweeted, adding the hashtag “#F-KRUSSIA” to his post.
I absolutely approve of Ukrainians using “We’re Not Gonna Take It” as their battlecry. My grandfather was Ukrainian, before it was swallowed up by the USSR after WW2. This can’t happen to these people again! #FUCKRUSSIA
— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) February 26, 2022
Snider was then accused by some users of having double standards because in the past he had spoken out against the use of the song by US corona opponents and mask refusers.
In another statement the following day, Snider clarified, “People ask me why I advocated the use of ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’ for the Ukrainian people but not for mask opponents. Well, this is about a just fight against oppression; the other is an infantile stamp directed at an inconvenience.
People are asking me why I endorsed the use of “We’re Not Gonna Take It” for the Ukrainian people and did not for the anti-maskers. Well, one use is for a righteous battle against oppression; the other is an infantile feet stomping against an inconvenience.
— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) February 27, 2022
Snider slammed a group of Florida anti-mask protesters last September for trying to co-opt his famous 1984 song. The musician called the march an “idiotic thing”.
He has since become an outspoken supporter of both vaccines and masks during the coronavirus pandemic, and in an interview last August he told his unvaccinated fans to attend gigs by well-known anti-vaccinationists Ted Nugent or Kid Rock instead of his concerts to come.
“We’re Not Gonna Take It” had peaked at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the hair metal heyday of the 1980s.
+++This article first appeared on rollingstone.de+++