Tom Morello has dubbed Kneecap the “Rage Towards The Machine of now” for talking “fact to energy”.
Tom Morello has in contrast Kneecap to Rage Towards The Machine
The Irish rap trio’s band member Mo Chara (actual identify Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) is presently on bail on a terror cost referring to “displaying a flag in assist of proscribed organisation Hezbollah” at their O2 Discussion board Kentish City gig in London in November 2024.
Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove informed the courtroom at a current listening to: “It’s not about Mr Ó hAnnaidh’s assist for the folks of Palestine or his criticism of Israel.
“He’s properly inside his rights to voice his opinions and solidarity, as is anyone else.
“The allegation on this case is an entirely completely different factor and offers with a video recording exhibiting that, in November of final 12 months, Mr Ó hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, whereas saying ‘up Hamas, up Hezbollah’.
“In fact, assist for the one just isn’t the identical as assist for the opposite.
“So the problem on this case, and the rationale it has come to courtroom, it centres on the obvious assist by Mr O hAnnaidh of a proscribed terrorist organisation.”
Ó hAnnaidh was subsequently launched on unconditional bail till his subsequent listening to on August 20.
Not solely was he supported by his bandmates – Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh – on the courtroom, however a whole lot of supporters turned as much as stand in solidarity with the star, with calls of “Free Palestine” heard as he left the constructing.
In a press release on Instagram concerning the fear cost, Kneecap wrote: “We deny this ‘offense’ and can vehemently defend ourselves.
“That is political policing. It is a carnival of distraction.
“14,000 infants are about to die of hunger in Gaza, with meals despatched by the world sitting on the opposite aspect of a wall, and as soon as once more the British institution is targeted on us.
“We’re on the best aspect of historical past. You aren’t. We’ll combat you in courtroom. We’ll win.”
Kneecap had a number of exhibits cancelled because of the backlash however nonetheless bought to play Glastonbury’s West Holts stage at Worthy Farm on Saturday, June 28 – regardless of calls from MPs for them to be banned.
Killing within the Title hitmakers Rage Towards The Machine are recognized for his or her anti-authoritarian and leftist political opinions and have used their platform to face up in opposition to injustices.
Showing on The Strombo Present lately, the group’s guitarist mentioned of Kneecap: “[They’re at] the highest of the record.
“I imply, they’re clearly the Rage Towards The Machine of now. Like, there’s them and there’s a niche to the subsequent one.”
Morello insists Kneecap are “not terrorists”.
Reacting to the backlash in opposition to the band, he mentioned: “What they’re doing of their artwork is what folks might in all probability stand to do extra of their lives: to essentially communicate fact to energy. And, , Kneecap usually are not terrorists.”
He added: “What’s terroristic is, , 20,000 lifeless Palestinian youngsters. That’s the story. Not some Irish rappers who don’t like that that’s occurring. [That] shouldn’t be the story.”
