Dutch fest drops American rockers Down after Hitler salute “joke”

Nijmegen metal festival FortaRock dropped American band Down from its lineup after frontman Phil Anselmo made the Hitler salute and called "white power" during a gig in the United States last week, ANP reports. According to the FortaRock organization, they had discussions with "all parties" over the past few days, and based on these talks decided to cancel Down's performance. They want to make clear "that there is no room for racism or facism at FortaRock." Anselmo already released a video apology, calling the incident a bad joke on white wine. "It was ugly, it was uncalled for. And anyone who knows me and my true nature knows that I don't believe in any of that", he said in the apology. "I am a thousand percent apologetic to anyone who took offense to what I said. Because you should have taken offense to what I said. And I am so sorry."