Neil Young issues statement on US Capitol insurrection: "I feel empathy for the people who have been so manipulated"

Neil Young has shared a statement about last week's insurrection at the US Capitol, which has left at least five people dead. Two Capitol Police officers have been suspended for their actions during the violent attack carried out by Trump supporters, while the president now faces impeachment in the final days of his administration.

On his Neil Young Archives website, the legendary singer-songwriter has shared a statement titled, 'A Message From Neil' – in which he called for an end to the division and hatred in American society.

Although he notes that he still has his "strong beliefs", Young expressed "empathy for the people who have been so manipulated and had their beliefs used as political weapons." He goes on to admit that he "may be among them. I wish internet news was two-sided. Both sides represented on the same programs."

"Social media, at the hands of powerful people – influencers, amplifying lies and untruths, is crippling our belief system, turning us against one another," he continues. "We are not enemies. We must find a way home."

In his statement, Young also remarks that Trump has "betrayed the people, exaggerated and amplified the truth to foment hatred. Resentment of the Democratic party among the insurrectionists at the Capitol was rampant. We don't need this hate. We need discussion and solutions. Respect for one another's beliefs."

He goes on to address "the double standard" of "the way people were treated in the BLM demonstrations recently, compared to the other day."

"There is no place here for White Supremacy," he says. "People need each other to be truly free. Hatred will never find Freedom."

Read Neil Young's full statement here.