A huge crowd gathered outside Westminster Magistrates Court to support Kneecap (Picture: Guy Smallman)
Hundreds of people crowded into the streets outside Westminster Magistrates Court, central London, on Wednesday to defend pro-Palestine Irish rap group Kneecap.
There was a festival atmosphere from early in the morning outside the court. People sang along to an Irish folk band while they waited.
Songs were interspersed with chants of, “Free Palestine” and, “Free, free Mo Chara!”. A van circled the area with the words, “More blacks, more dogs, more Irish, Mo Chara”. It drew huge cheers every time it came past.
Mo Chara—Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh—was charged with a terror offence for allegedly supporting Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah by waving a flag on stage.
Kneecap proudly support Palestinian liberation and have used festival and media appearances to oppose Israel’s genocide. They have said the real story is not Kneecap, it’s Palestine.
Irish journalist John D McHugh told Socialist Worker, “This is the first time I’ve ever been on a protest. I’m appalled by what is happening in Gaza. They are attacking a band for saying what is happening. It just bends my mind.”
Protester Emma told Socialist Worker the charges are “just so so wrong—everything about it is disgusting” She said, “I’m from Belfast. I’m so proud of these guys and what they stand for. They are on the right side of history.”
A protester in an Irish flag balaclava said, “We are sick of being silenced. The real terrorists are the people committing genocide in Palestine. Thank fuck for these guys with their platform saying so.”
Gerry Carroll, a People Before Profit member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, had come from Belfast to support Kneecap. He told Socialist Worker that others on the same flight were coming to the protest.
He said, “It’s essential to stand up against repression of artists and political activists. The real criminals and warmongers are getting away scot free.
“Keir Starmer, David Lammy and Kemi Badenoch—the people who endorsed and supported genocide. These are the people who should be locked up.”
He added, “But I think they might have bitten off more than they can chew this time.”
Speakers on the stage spoke about the oppression Irish people have faced at the hands of the British state. They explained how terror charges were used to silence resistance to British rule in Ireland in the 1970s.
Frank McGuinness said, “The British Empire was one of the most murderous institutions in history. Keir Starmer stands in the long tradition of blood soaked British imperial racism.
“But we can follow the example of Kneecap. You always have a voice. You can spit in the face of those who try to dominate you.”
Campaigners and musicians have also stood in solidarity with Kneecap. A “secret letter” was circulated to try to get them pulled from the lineup of Glastonbury festival next weekend.
Campaign group Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR), one of the organisers of the solidarity protest, said, “Anyone trying to silence them, or get them pulled from shows, is on the wrong side of history. We stand with Kneecap against those directing hate towards the movement for Palestine.”
Kneecap are not the only people targeted by the British state for standing with Palestine.
Welsh anti-racist Kwabena Devonish also faces charges under the Terrorism Act. There has been a crackdown on student encampments from university managements and the state. And organisers of the mass Palestine solidarity marches have been called in front of the cops.
But Kneecap are determined not to stop talking about the genocide. In a statement they said, “We deny this ‘offence’ and will vehemently defend ourselves.”
Liam has been told to appear again in court on 20 August. LMHR has called a solidarity protest. Protesters should take to the streets again.
Another morbid symptom of the decline of US imperialism
Divide and rule was used to undermine struggle
The outbreak in the DRC is set to be the deadliest in history
At least 89 have been killed since June
