An incredibly unfortunate situation has been brought to the attention of Bay Area thrash metal band EXODUS.
Apparently James “Jamie” Evans, an EXODUS fan who resides in Greenville, KY, was arrested, and is currently being held, for alleged terroristic threats for posting the lyrics from the EXODUS song “Class Dismissed (A Hate Primer)” from the band’s 2010 album 'Exhibit B: The Human Condition'. Further information regarding the arrest can be found below:
http://www.14news.com/story/26431395/lyrics-posted-on-facebook-lead-to-arrest-of-muhlenberg-co-man
No member of EXODUS has ever condoned or promoted terrorists. Band members are confused by what seems to be a violation of the right to Freedom of Speech, which is protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
EXODUS songwriter and guitarist Gary Holt says, “The idea that an individual in this great country of ours could be arrested for simply posting lyrics to a song is something I never believed could happen in a free society. James Evans was simply posting lyrics to a band he likes on Facebook, and he was locked up for it. The song ‘Class Dismissed (A Hate Primer)’ was written as a view through the eyes of a madman and in no way endorses that kind of fucked-up behavior. It was 2007’s Virginia Tech massacre perpetrated by Seung-Hui Cho that was the subject and inspiration to write the song, one in which we put the brakes on playing it live after the Sandy Hook shooting, as we did not want to seem insensitive.”
Holt continues:
“As some of us in EXODUS are parents, of course these things hit close to home, it's every parent's worst fear. These moments are the stuff of nightmares, and life - as well as music - isn't always pretty. But when we start to overreact to things like lyrics by any band - including EXODUS - and start arresting people, we are caving in to paranoia and are well on our way to becoming an Orwellian society.”
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