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In 2023, former Anti-Flag<\/a> vocalist\/guitarist Justin Sane<\/a> faced numerous sexual assault allegations from numerous women<\/a>, leading to him paying\u00a0nearly $2 million\u00a0to one accuser and Anti-Flag calling it quits. Now, former vocalist\/bassist Chris \u201cNo. 2\u201d Barker has addressed the fallout from how Anti-Flag handled Sane\u2019s sexual allegations.<\/p>\n Yesterday (Nov. 1), Barker shared a lengthy (multi-slide) apology to Instagram, captioning: \u201cThere 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.\u201d<\/p>\n As for the apology itself, it finds Barker saying that he\u2019s \u201ctruly sorry\u201d that the band\u2019s response to \u201cthe harm [his] former bandmate caused\u201d didn\u2019t \u201ccenter [on] the needs of survivors.\u201d He elaborates by acknowledging that Anti-Flag\u2019s \u201cinitial public statement<\/a> caused harm and disappointment,\u201d as well as for admitting that he didn\u2019t see \u201cthe warning signs of [Sane\u2019s] depravity.\u201d He also clarifies that he supports the survivors \u201cdemanding justice and healing\u201d and respects \u201ctheir courage for sharing their truth.\u201d<\/p>\n Afterward, he reflects on the situation leaving him \u201cfeeling emotionally stuck and uncertain\u201d but also \u201cmotived . . . to learn and change.\u201d In addition, he explains that through \u201cthe accountability sessions Chris [head, rhythm guitar], Pat [Thetic, drums], and [he] have engaged in\u201d with various survivors, he has \u201chope that we can work toward collective accountability and repair.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo 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,\u201d he continues.<\/p>\n Lastly, he offers his \u201csincere empathy and regret\u201d to \u201canyone affected by\u201d what happened, and he confesses that this \u201cpainful journey\u201d has \u201cdeeply challenged [his] trust and faith in relationships.\u201d He ends by thanking everyone \u201cwho believed in the band and the community we shared,\u201d concluding: \u201cIt is a difficult time in this world. Please be gentle with yourselves and each other.\u201d<\/p>\n You can read the full apology and see Barker\u2019s post below:<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 one that has deeply challenged my trust and faith in relationships \u2014 but I am committed to working through my own trauma with care and responsibility.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It is a difficult time in this world. – Chris #2<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n So far, Barker\u2019s post has received hundreds of replies and thousands of likes.<\/p>\n For instance, one person shared:<\/p>\n I truly hope that every dime that Anti-Flag made from the records, patreon, tours, whatever else is going towards the survivors. Everything. Good to see some accountability but maybe I’m the outlier here in the comments thinking that these people shouldn’t necessarily be welcomed back into the scene with open arms after undermining the victims initially and then going completely silent for two years. Hopefully y’all have been doing serious work behind the scenes because after everything that happened I’m still inherently skeptical. This band meant the world to me but in recent years y’all have made it hard to trust your words, I hope y’all are doing the right thing.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Along the same lines, another user commented: \u201cA statement like this would have been nice two years ago, instead of silence until now.\u201d<\/p>\n That said, Barker\u2019s words also received positive and understanding responses, such as from one person who declared: \u201cIt\u2019s not your fault. Reform Anti-Flag without him. We love you!\u201d<\/p>\n Likewise, another fan commended Barker\u2019s honesty and directness:<\/p>\n Having been a victim yourself, this must have been incredibly painful. Although it took some time, I have huge respect for your decision to step forward, see you holding yourself accountable and, more importantly, addressing all victims who suffered from his actions with care. It\u2019s refreshing to see someone being this direct and showing real empathy and compassion for a change, rather than just publishing some generic statement. Your bass lines were always my favorite part, and I miss hearing your talent. Be well, Chris. I hope you are safe and supported.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n How do you<\/em> feel about the whole situation (especially in light of Barker\u2019s apology)? Let us know!<\/p>\n As Loudwire reported at the time, the allegations against Sane began in July of 2023<\/a>, when a woman named Kristina Sarhadi appeared on a podcast called enough.<\/a><\/em> and claimed that she was raped by the singer of an unnamed political punk rock band. Around the same time, listeners on Reddit<\/a> pointed out that Sarhadi\u2019s accusations were likely related to why Anti-Flag announced their split and deleted their website<\/a> the prior week.<\/p>\n Shortly thereafter, Sane denied the allegations<\/a>, claiming that \u201cthese stories are categorically false\u201d because he had \u201cnever engaged in a sexual relationship that was not consensual.\u201d Meanwhile, Anti-Flag responded to the situation<\/a> by stating that \u201cthis experience has shaken us to our core.\u201d<\/p>\n Two months later \u2013 in September of 2023 \u2013 12 other women came forward with their own allegations against Sane<\/a>. As Loudwire wrote at the time, a \u201cdetailed expose\u201d was \u201cuncovered by\u00a0Rolling Stone<\/a>\u201d that contained further accusations of Sane committing \u201cpredatory behavior, sexual assault and statutory rape\u201d that included \u201csexual relations with a 12-year-old when the singer was a teenager.\u201d<\/p>\n These incidents were said to \u201cstretch back to the 1990s,\u201d and certain \u201caccusers claimed the band were complicit in the alleged abuse\u201d (via Loudwire). In a statement to Rolling Stone<\/a>, the other members of the group said that they believed Sane to be \u201cvery sick and in need of serious professional help,\u201d adding:<\/p>\n We want to have compassion and have faith in restorative justice, but fuck you for hurting so many people, not just the ones who have bravely come forward, but anyone still carrying their pain internally. Fuck you for exploiting the work of the band and the many people associated with it for so long. As many predators do, it appears you used our beliefs as a cover for egregious activities that you clearly knew we would never condone.<\/p>\n To everyone, we collectively and individually still have far more questions than answers in this moment. We have been learning of and processing all of this information in real-time. We trusted Justin greatly and are now learning that we were deceived, lied to, and kept in the dark for the entirety of our association. For Chris Barker, personally, Justin knew his history with trauma: his father has been convicted of sexual abuse of children and is currently incarcerated, his sister was a victim of abuse, and Chris himself was sexually abused by an older child in their neighborhood. We share this to demonstrate that Justin was acutely aware of the visceral reaction we would have to such destructive behavior. But also because sharing a stage for so long with someone you later learn is an accused predator has been incredibly painful to process and come to terms with. Two things can be true: a person can be kind and selfless in one space and a monster in another.<\/p>\n Around 10:30PM on July 18th, we were alerted that a podcast would be released the next morning detailing a sexual assault involving Justin. We forwarded a message to him that previewed the episode and contained a photo and name. Justin responded that he did not know this person. The next morning, when the three of us heard Kristina\u2019s story, it became apparent to us that he was lying. To be true to the values we embraced for decades, we quit the band immediately and without hesitation. The three of us removed the band\u2019s internet presence in an attempt to limit spaces for people to attack, antagonize, or harm Kristina as we tried to get a grasp on this shocking information.<\/p>\n As more details have been shared since the release of the podcast, we have been waiting for Justin to do the right thing. Given his lack of contrition in any meaningful way, it is very clear that he is absolutely not the person we were led to believe him to be. Love, healing, and justice to all survivors.<\/p>\n Pat, Chris, and Chris<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In January of 2025, Loudwire reported on Chris \u201cNo. 2\u201d Barker, Chirrs Head and Pat Thetic being cleared in the case<\/a> as part of a New York judge dismissing part of Sarhadi\u2019s lawsuit<\/a>. The lawsuit \u201cargued that since the alleged violation took place in a hotel stay funded by the group, they were liable for the singer\u2019s actions.\u201d However, judge Brenda K. Sannes \u201cdismissed that portion of the suit claiming that there was no legal basis to hold the other band members accountable and no evidence that they were aware of the singer\u2019s alleged actions\u201d (per Loudwire).<\/p>\n Finally, in June of 2025, Sane was ordered to pay Sarhadi \u201cnearly $2 million\u201d<\/a> over the lawsuit. In response to the judgment (via Rolling Stone<\/a>), Sarhadi chastised Sane over his \u201csilence, absence and cowardice.\u201d She also noted that she\u2019s \u201chumbled\u201d by the support she received from other survivors who heard her story.<\/p>\n If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, resources are available for help. Visit the\u00a0RAINN<\/a>\u00a0website (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) or dial 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673).<\/em><\/p>\n These are the rock and metal bands that broke up in 2023.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Philip Trapp<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhat Chris “No. 2” Barker Said<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Please be gentle with yourselves and each other.”<\/p>\nHow Have People Responded to Barker\u2019s Post?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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More About Justin Sane Sexual Assault Allegations<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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We are unsure where our path will lead us. Right now, words feel hollow and no statement can alleviate the suffering that has been caused. We have a great deal to learn about ourselves \u2013 with much soul-searching and introspection ahead. There will have to be a lot of therapy and devotion of time and resources to places that are equipped to help with these kinds of traumas. The three of us are still in shock and grieving, but mostly our hearts are broken for every victim. We are deeply saddened by every one of your painful stories, and will forever be grateful for your courage in sharing them.<\/p>\nBands That Broke Up in 2023<\/h2>\n