Marilyn Manson–Columbine High School massacre controversy

After the massacre at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, one common view was that the violent actions perpetrated by the shooters, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, were due to violent influences in entertainment, specifically those in the music of Marilyn Manson.

The earliest reports about the Columbine High School shooting linked Manson to the tragedy after students reported that Klebold and Harris were fans of Manson, though that was later proven to be false. Many also pointed out that the boys were dressed in trenchcoats, which they believed to be similar to Manson's typical attire. Some early headlines read, "Killers Worshipped Rock Freak Manson" and "Devil-Worshipping Maniac Told Kids To Kill."

Those taking a stance against Manson claimed that his rock group was perhaps the sickest group ever promoted by a mainstream record company.Michael Moore stated in his documentary, Bowling for Columbine, that after the attack, it seemed that the entire focus was that the two killers were motivated to commit this act because they listened to Marilyn Manson.

Interviewers and reporters such as Bill O'Reilly of Fox News's The O'Reilly Factor challenged Manson's messages in his songs. O'Reilly pointed out Manson's controversial behavior, such as committing a sexual act with another male live on stage. In response, Manson claimed that this was not planned and was entertaining at the time. O'Reilly also challenged Manson by stating that never before in the United States had there been more corrupting influences on the nation's youth at one time, and that while Manson claims that his messages are not meant to be taken a certain way, young people can misinterpret his lyrics.

Two years after Columbine, Manson was expected to perform in Denver, Colorado at the Ozzfest at Mile High Stadium. As a result, protesters gathered to prevent Manson from performing. One speaker said that Marilyn Manson's music promoted what he called Columbine-like behavior, such as hate, violence, death, suicide, and drug use. The protesters were largely made up of the Citizens for Peace and Respect, an organization that consisted of locals, churches, and Columbine families.

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