Anti-Flag’s Chris Barker Gives New Apology for Justin Sane Allegations
Earlier this year, a judge threw out parts of a lawsuit filed against Anti-Flag‘s frontman Justin Geever (aka Justin Sane) regarding sexual assault allegations lodged against him.
The initial allegations caused the band to break up back in 2023. After they came to light, 12 more incidents against Geever would also become public, which caused him to flee the country in 2024. As for the rest of the band, Chris Head, Chris Barker, and Pat Thetic, who were also brought up in the lawsuit, released a shared statement that many found inadequate compared to the weight of the situation at hand. Now, Barker has issued another statement on behalf of the band for how they originally responded to the situation, that you can read below.
Barker said:
“There has been a lot of work happening the last 2 years, much of it in private and at an intentional pace. I hope this letter can be part of a step forward.
“I want to acknowledge the harm my former bandmate caused, and I am truly sorry that our response to it did not center the needs of survivors. I am grateful that this person’s true nature was exposed, and I recognize the importance of accountability — something he has not yet taken for himself.
“I recognize that our initial public statement caused harm and disappointment, and I deeply regret the pain we contributed to. I regret not recognizing the warning signs of his depravity, and wish I had been more aware of the ways in which my privilege contributed to a false sense of safety around him. Regardless of the intentions, harm was caused, and I am sorry. I am sorry for the pain and betrayal experienced by survivors, and support them in demanding justice and healing. I respect their courage for sharing their truth.
“This experience has left me feeling emotionally stuck and uncertain, but it has also motivated me to learn and change. I am committed to asking better questions, listening more deeply, and ensuring that I do not overlook signs of dishonesty or harm in others. I recognize that harmful behaviors rooted in patriarchy and narcissism are deeply connected to systems of oppression, and that we must continually challenge them. I believe in the importance of ongoing healing and justice for survivors.
“Through the accountability sessions Chris, Pat, and I have engaged in with those survivors who have chosen to sit in with us, I continue to have hope that we can work toward collective accountability and repair. I am grateful for the patience and grace shown by those involved in the transformative justice work we have engaged in over the last 2 years, and I remain dedicated to supporting that process moving forward. To the survivors we have not spoken to, we believe you, and I am sorry if we let you down. We only have empathy and compassion for you and your path forward to healing.
“To anyone affected by this, I offer my sincere empathy and regret. I acknowledge the pain and trauma that often accompanies situations like these and I will strive to hold space for your healing. Personally, this has been a painful journey — one that has deeply challenged my trust and faith in relationships — but I am committed to working through my own trauma with care and responsibility.
“To those who believed in the band and the community we shared, I want to express my deep gratitude. I am ashamed of what has happened, but I am also attempting to grow from it. I do not yet know what my path with art or music will look like, but I only wish to lead with love and walk with kindness and beauty.
“It is a difficult time in this world. Please be gentle with yourselves and each other.”
Anti-Flag’s original statement saw some acknowledgment of what the victims went through but not without throwing in how out of character for Geever this all was. Here’s a reminder:
“A core tenet of the band Anti-Flag is to listen to and believe all survivors of sexual violence and abuse. The recent allegations about Justin are in direct contradiction to that tenet. Therefore, we felt the only immediate option was to disband.
“We have been shocked, confused, saddened and absolutely heartbroken from the moment we heard these allegations. While we believe this is extremely serious, in the last 30 years we have never seen Justin be violent or aggressive toward women. This experience has shaken us to our core.
“We understand and apologize that this response may not have been quick enough for some people. This is new territory for all of us and it is taking time for us to process the situation.
“It was a privilege for us to be in the band Anti-Flag, as we seek to find our path forward we wish healing to all survivors.”
Is Barker’s new statement sufficient? That’s not for me individually to decide, but hopefully the victims get some sort of justice.
