Kneecap have been barred from promoting on the London Underground.
Kneecap have been blocked from promoting on the London Underground
The controversial Irish trio – whose band member Mo Chara is at the moment on bail on a terror cost – have claimed they’ve had their poster rejected on the grounds that it may “trigger widespread or severe offence to affordable members of the general public.”
An announcement from the band posted to Instagram learn: “KNEECAP BANNED FROM LONDON TUBE
“We have been banned from promoting on the London Tube.
“How petty can political policing and interference get…
“After utilizing the tube to promote a great deal of instances for gigs, information and our film, all with out problem.
“The poster on the following graphic has been rejected as a result of: “it’s more likely to trigger widespread or severe offence to affordable members of the general public on account of the services or products being marketed, the content material or design of the commercial, or by means of implication.”
Placing a play on phrases on British Transport Police’s crime hotline slogan, they concluded: “See it. Say it. Censored.”
In June, Chara was unconditionally bailed after dealing with a terror cost.
The courtroom heard that the difficulty was with the band member – whose actual title is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh – “displaying a flag in help of proscribed organisation Hezbollah” at their O2 Discussion board Kentish City gig in London in November 2024, not voicing his opinions on Israel and Palestine, which he is “nicely inside his rights” to do.
Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove instructed the courtroom: “It’s not about Mr Ó hAnnaidh’s help for the individuals of Palestine or his criticism of Israel.
“He’s nicely inside his rights to voice his opinions and solidarity, as is anyone else.
“The allegation on this case is a completely totally 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’.
“After all, help for the one isn’t the identical as help for the opposite.
“So the difficulty on this case, and the explanation it has come to courtroom, it centres on the obvious help 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 tons of of supporters turned as much as stand in solidarity with the star, with calls of “Free Palestine” heard as he left the constructing.
In an announcement 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 correct aspect of historical past. You aren’t. We’ll battle you in courtroom. We’ll win.”
Kneecap had a number of reveals cancelled because of the backlash however nonetheless obtained to play Glastonbury’s West Holts stage at Worthy Farm on Saturday, June 28 – regardless of calls from MPs for them to be banned.
