Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes has issued a video in which he apologizes for criticizing the March for Our Lives and Never Again movement, saying: “I truly am sorry.”

Hughes – who was onstage in Paris in 2015 when 89 people in the Bataclan venue were shot dead by terrorists – initially appeared to demonstrate contempt for American students’ reaction against school shootings. He called their actions “pathetic and disgusting,” adding: “May everyone [sic] of these disgusting vile abusers of the dead live as long as possible so they can have the maximum amount of time to endure their shame… and be Cursed.”

His comments, later deleted, drew fury from a number of directions, including friend Mark Lanegan and someone who claimed to be the friend of a Bataclan victim. Lanegan tweeted: “When I think of the good times we've had in the past it fucks my heart to see how far off the rails you've gone. Come back bro.”

In his new video, below, Hughes – surrounded by musical instruments – said: “Recently I made some posts on my Instagram that did not communicate how I feel about a variety of topics. What I’d intended to be a statement about the hijacking of any side of the aisle of the beautiful agenda of the movement of our nation’s youth, came off seeming like a mean-spirited personal attack or sleight of the youth themselves, or even a personal attack on its leadership.

“I wanna be clear – I never intended for that to happen; I was not attempting to impune the youth of America and this beautiful thing they’ve accomplished. I truly am sorry. I did not mean to hurt anyone or cause any harm. As someone who’s watched their friends shot in front of their eyes and seen people killed that they love, I should have handled this a lot more maturely and responsibly, and I did not do that. I messed up.

“And I hope that you’re able to forgive me, but please know that I did not mean to do what it seems like it was I was doing.”

His apology predictably drew a split response from his followers, with some replying to the effect that he was forgiven and it was time to move on, while others refused to consider forgiveness and others still responding in anger.

 

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