Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong made a bold statement during a London show, announcing his intention to resign his U.S. citizenship, only hours after the U.S. Supreme Court declared its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Mid-concert, Armstrong informed the London crowd of the court’s judgment, stating his determination to abandon his citizenship and his indignation at the United States’ disregard for women’s reproductive rights.
Armstrong blasted the status of the globe in his passionate address, calling it “stupid” and calling the United States a “miserable” country. He also mentioned how reluctant he was to come back to the United States after the band’s European tour. Notwithstanding these opinions, Green Day has returned to the United States for planned dates in Chicago and San Francisco. In September, the band will embark on a South American tour that will include stops in Brazil and Argentina.The London audience applauded Armstrong’s criticism of the United States. After letting the cheers continue, he assured the audience that he was sincere about giving up his U.S. citizenship. When Armstrong told the London audience, “You’re going to see a lot more of me in the coming days,” he also alluded to his desire to move to the United Kingdom.
Armstrong returned to the London stage the next day, declaring, “F*** the Supreme Court and America,” once more expressing his disapproval of the court’s ruling. Green Day sang their hit song “American Idiot” after he finished speaking.
Armstrong is hardly the only musician responding to the conservative ruling of the Supreme Court that transfers state responsibility for defending women’s reproductive rights from the federal level. Abortion access is currently being restricted in many red states, which limits women’s access to necessary medical care.During a July 2022 performance, singer Billie Eilish also voiced her displeasure with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“It’s a really, really bad day for American women today. Since I can’t stand to think about it any longer right now, I’m simply going to say that,” Eilish said. The conservative Supreme Court judges who overturned Roe v. Wade were then honored in her song “Your Power.” “I think one of our favorite songs is the one we’re about to perform; it’s about power and how we must always remember not to abuse it.”
What are your opinions on Billie Joe Armstrong’s decision to relinquish his American citizenship?