Last March, Winston Marshall, a founding member of Mumford & Sons, announced that he was “taking time out” of the band after asking for a tweet posting the book Unmasked: Inside Antifa’s Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy Was exposed to criticism. written by right commentator Andy Ngo. At that time, Marshall apologized to the people he had offended by co-signing the book and stated that he would take time to “investigate.” [his] Blind spots. “
Today Marshall announced his departure from Mumford & Sons in a self-published statement on Medium, in which he also withdraws his apology:
I spent a lot of time thinking, reading, and listening. The truth is that my comment on a book documenting the extreme left and their activities is in no way an endorsement of the equally disgusting right wing. The truth is that reporting extremism at great self-harm is unquestionably brave. I also feel that my previous apology is in some way implicated in the lie that such extremism does not exist or, worse, is a force for good.
At one point, Marshall cites his family history as he tries to pretend that any suggestion that he supports Ngo’s far-right views are inaccurate:
Nothing is further from the truth. Thirteen members of my family were murdered in the Holocaust concentration camps. Unlike her cousins, aunts, and uncles, my grandma survived. You and I were close. My family knows the evils of fascism painfully well. Say the least. Calling myself a “fascist” was incredibly ridiculous.
Marshall states that he has left Mumford & Sons so that he can continue to speak freely on topics he considers important. “I could stay and continue to censor myself, but that will undermine my sense of integrity. Gnaw my conscience. I have already felt this beginning, ”he writes. “The only way forward for me is to leave the band. I hope by distancing myself from them I can express my opinion without them bearing the consequences. I go with love in my heart and wish all the best for these three guys. I have no doubt that their stars will shine for a long time to come. “
Pitchfork has contacted Mumford & Sons for additional comments and information.
