Smiths legend backs Kneecap and calls for a free Palestine
Legendary guitarist Johnny Marr has become the latest star to offer his support to Kneecap.
It comes amid calls for the Belfast band's upcoming set at the Glastonbury music festival to be censored.
Taking to social media, the former Smiths musician said in a statement that 'after learning that calls have been made for Kneecap to be censored during their Glastonbury set', he thought it was important to make his position on the issue clear.
'I've played Glastonbury many times and the festival has always had a political aspect,' the 61-year-old said.
'It was founded as a place of free expression and political activism, and it's a fact that I agreed to play there with the Smiths in 1984 purely because to do so at the time was a political act.
'We are living through very troubling times, but for anyone who's been interested in me or my music over the last 40 years, I feel like my political stance has always been very clear,' he continued.
'Oppression fears artistic expression. I respect all musicians who use their platform to speak out against injustice, who promote compassion and equality and give voice to the voiceless.
'I stand with my audience and fellow musicians who call for an immediate end to the atrocities and a free Palestine.'
Kneecap are set to perform at the British festival at the West Holts Stage on Saturday, June 28.
Earlier this month, the BBC confirmed it would not remove the band from its coverage of the festival.
However, they were removed from Scotland's TRNSMT festival this July following safety concerns from police.
Band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh is set to appear in court after police in the UK charged him with a terrorism offence after he allegedly displayed a flag in support of Lebanese organisation Hezbollah last year.
The rapper, who goes by the stage name Mo Chara, has denied the charge, calling it "political policing" and "a carnival of distraction" away from Gaza.
He said the charge is an attempt to stop him from 'speaking at Glastonbury.'
'There's a reason why what's happened to me happened before Glastonbury.
Members of Kneecap, Liam Og O Hannaigh (Mo Chara), JJ O'Dochartaigh (DJ Provai) and Naoise O Caireallain (Moglai Bap) attending the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) Awards Ceremony (Brian Lawless/PA)
'There's a reason they're trying to f**king stop me speaking at Glastonbury in front of the UK.'
Fellow Irish musician and Kneecap collaborator Grian Chatten branded the charges against Ó hAnnaidh a witch hunt.
'It's a categorical witch hunt, and that's fairly plain to see to anyone who has a discerning eye,' he told The Irish Times.
'I stand by their side, and I'm totally unafraid to do so. I think all of us are.'
The group have garnered international headlines since their performance at Coachella in April.
Johnny Marr
News in 90 Seconds - June 17
They faced controversy after they displayed a message reading 'Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. F**k Israel, Free Palestine,' on stage following their set at the music festival.
The performance led to calls for the group to be banned from performing in the United States
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