Latest news with #LedByDonkeys
The National
6 days ago
- Politics
- The National
2 arrested at Led by Donkeys Gaza protest outside Labour HQ
On Tuesday, Led by Donkeys erected a large poster opposite the Labour Party HQ in London, which showed an image of the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza. On the poster were the words: "Protesting this isn't terrorism." (Image: Led By Donkeys, via Twitter/X) Led By Donkeys said: "We've turned their street into Jabaliya camp in Gaza. A genocide is happening, but the Labour Government is supplying weapons, intelligence and diplomatic cover to the perpetrator. "Protesting this is not terrorism." READ MORE: 'If not now, when?': Cabinet ministers pressure Keir Starmer to recognise Palestine The campaign group later said two activists had been arrested and removed by police, sharing an image of a man being taken away by the police. (Image: Led By Donkeys, via Twitter/X) The Met Police confirmed that two men, aged 50 and 51, were charged with aggravated trespass and are due to appear in court in August. The poster's reference to "terrorism" likely refers to the designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, which was brought in by the Labour Government earlier this month. It means that membership of or support for the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. READ MORE: Seamus Logan: I've been an SNP MP for a year. Here's what it's been like However, condemning Israeli actions in Gaza or showing support for Palestine does not automatically create any connection to a proscribed organisation such as Palestine Action. According to campaign group Defend Our Juries, nearly 200 people have been arrested within a fortnight in the UK under terror law since the proscription of Palestine Action came into effect. Most recently in Scotland, three people were arrested under the Terrorism Act following a national pro-Palestine demonstration on Saturday. The men, aged 78, 60 and 58, were arrested in Edinburgh "for showing support for a proscribed organisation". A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at 7.17am on Tuesday, July 22 to Rushworth Street, SE1 following reports of two men climbing the scaffolding of a building before displaying a large banner. "Officers attended and the two men safety left the scaffolding at around 12.30pm. "They were arrested and have since both been charged with aggravated trespass. "Oliver Knowles, 50 (09.07.1975) of Ranelagh Road, N17 and Ben Stewart, 51 (29.03.1974) of Richmond Avenue, Bristol appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 23 July. "They will next appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 20 August." The Labour Party have been contacted for comment.
The National
7 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Led by Donkeys stage Gaza protest outside Labour HQ
On Tuesday, Led by Donkeys erected a large poster opposite the Labour Party HQ in London, which showed an image of the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza. On the poster were the words: "Protesting this isn't terrorism." (Image: Led By Donkeys, via Twitter/X) Led By Donkeys said: "We've turned their street into Jabaliya camp in Gaza. A genocide is happening, but the Labour government is supplying weapons, intelligence and diplomatic cover to the perpetrator. "Protesting this is not terrorism." READ MORE: 'If not now, when?': Cabinet ministers pressure Keir Starmer to recognise Palestine The campaign group later said two activists had been arrested and removed by police, sharing an image of a man being taken away by the police. (Image: Led By Donkeys, via Twitter/X) The Met Police has been contacted for further information. The reference to "terrorism" likely refers to the designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, which was brought in by the Labour Government earlier this month. It means that membership of or support for the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. READ MORE: Seamus Logan: I've been an SNP MP for a year. Here's what it's been like However, condemning Israeli actions in Gaza or showing support for Palestine does not automatically create any connection to a proscribed organisation such as Palestine Action. According to campaign group Defend Our Juries, nearly 200 people have been arrested within a fortnight in the UK under terror law since the proscription of Palestine Action came into effect. Most recently in Scotland, three people were arrested under the Terrorism Act following a national pro-Palestine demonstration on Saturday. The men, aged 78, 60 and 58, were arrested in Edinburgh "for showing support for a proscribed organisation". The Labour Party has been contacted for comment.
The National
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Garbage join artists opposing pro-Palestine censorship
The group, known as Ethical Syndicate Palestine, was launched by the band Massive Attack in response to what they claim is a coordinated campaign to silence artists speaking out against the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Alongside Garbage, other acts signed up to the initiative include Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap, Brian Eno and a number of other musicians and producers who have voiced solidarity with Palestine. READ MORE: 55 arrested in Westminster as protests grow over Palestine Action ban The announcement comes in the wake of a new documentary released by campaigning group Led By Donkeys, which exposes the activities of UK Lawyers for Israel Ltd (UKLFI). According to the film, the group has used legal and institutional pressure to silence pro-Palestine activism, particularly in the arts and cultural sectors. Led By Donkeys stated: 'UK Lawyers for Israel Ltd has tried to silence various voices supporting Palestine. Their charitable wing has made public statements rejecting international law.' In a statement shared on Instagram, Massive Attack wrote: 'Because of our expressions of conscience, we've been subject to various intimidations from within our industry ... and legally via organised bodies such as UKLFI.' They described the situation in Gaza as having 'moved beyond description,' and called on the wider music community to support younger, more vulnerable artists who may feel unable to speak out. The group urged those impacted to contact the Ethical Syndicate Palestine directly. Led By Donkeys added: 'The weaponisation of antisemitism ... not only hurts civil liberties and human rights, it also damages the real fight against antisemitism.' The crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices in UK music has escalated in recent months. Bob Vylan were dropped by their agents and investigated by police after chanting 'death to the IDF' at Glastonbury. READ MORE: RECAP: Activists defy Labour with illegal pro-Palestine T-shirts at Edinburgh demo Meanwhile, Kneecap member Liam Ó hAnnaidh, AKA Mo Chara, is facing prosecution under the Terrorism Act after allegedly holding a Hezbollah flag on stage. Despite mounting pressures, more musicians – many previously seen as apolitical – are breaking their silence. In May, Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds raised a Palestinian flag during a concert in Milan, joining a chorus of international dissent.
Middle East Eye
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Middle East Eye
Massive Attack, Kneecap and others form musician alliance against 'silencing' by pro-Israel groups
British band Massive Attack have announced an alliance of musicians to take on "intimidation" by pro-Israel groups within the music industry. Acts including Kneecap, Brian Eno, and Garbage have signed up for the group, which was announced on the back of a documentary by campaign group Led By Donkeys about the work of a pro-Israel group that is silencing activism on the situation in Palestine. According to Led By Donkeys: "UK Lawyers for Israel Ltd [UKLFI] has tried to silence various voices supporting Palestine. Their charitable wing has made public statements rejecting international law." In a statement put out on Instagram on Thursday evening, Massive Attack said intimidation of pro-Palestine artists within the music industry had been organised by UKLFI. "The scenes in Gaza have moved beyond description. We write as artists who've chosen to use our public platforms to speak out against the genocide occurring there [and] the role of the UK Government in facilitating it," Massive Attack wrote. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "Because of our expressions of conscience, we've been subject to various intimidations from within our industry (live & recorded) & legally via organised bodies such as UKLFI; whose range of activities has now finally been exposed in a new documentary film projected last night by the Led By Donkeys collective," the statement continued. The band said it was especially important for the music industry to act to protect emerging artists from intimidation. They called on those impacted by UKLFI's work to get in touch with the new alliance, labeled: "Ethical Syndicate Palestine". Led By Donkeys published its own statement alongside its documentary, which said: "The weaponisation of antisemitism is not only an egregious attack on Palestine advocacy, civil liberties [and] human rights - it also hurts the fight against antisemitism. "It makes it harder for us to identify true antisemitism when it happens [and] creates scepticism about whether anti-Jewish racism even still exists, or is just a political tool.' 'Political policing' There have been a number of controversies involving pro-Palestine artists in the UK in the past few months. In late June, duo Bob Vylan faced calls for prosecution and were dropped by their agents after leading chants of 'death to the IDF' at the Glastonbury music festival. The incident caused outrage amongst the British media and political establishment and was the subject of an investigation by Avon and Somerset police. Social media points fingers back at institutions punishing Bob Vylan for Glastonbury set Read More » Manchester's Radar Festival cancelled a performance by the pair but organisers said that the decision was out of their hands. The band also had shows cancelled in Europe and their visas for a US tour cancelled in response to the furore. Elsewhere, Kneecap rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act for allegedly holding a Hezbollah flag during a performance in London in November last year. Kneecap published a statement addressing the case, which said: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. "This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is." Increasing numbers of musicians are making gestures and statements in support of Palestine and against ongoing Israeli atrocities in Gaza. That includes bands once considered relatively apolitical. In May, Imagine Dragons lead singer Dan Reynolds raised the Palestinian flag during the band's performance in Milan, Italy.
Euronews
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Massive Attack announce alliance of musicians speaking out over Gaza
Celebrated British trip hop collective Massive Attack have announced an alliance of musicians speaking out over Gaza against 'intimidations from within' the music industry. Massive Attack took to social media last night to share a statement announcing the 'movement' – a union of musicians who have spoken out over the Israel-Palestine war and have faced attempts of censorship. The statement reads: 'The scenes in Gaza have moved beyond description. We write as artists who've chose to use our public platforms to speak out against the genocide occurring there & the role of the UK Government in facilitating it.' Une publication partagée par Massive Attack (@massiveattackofficial) 'Because of our expressions of conscience, we've been subject to various intimidations from within our industry (live & recorded) & legally via organised bodies such as UK Lawyers For Israel; whose range of activities has now finally been exposed in a new documentary film projected last night by the Led By Donkeys collective.' This makes reference to Led By Donkeys, the UK political campaign group that was formed in 2018 as an anti-Brexit group. They premiered a new documentary last night about UK Lawyers For Israel (UKLFI) and how they attempted to silence Bob Vylan following their controversial Glastonbury performance last month. UKLFI have claimed responsibility for getting Bob Vylan taken off several festival line-ups in the UK, as well as actions against Kneecap. Une publication partagée par Led By Donkeys (@ledbydonkeys) Later in the statement released by Massive Attack, the band say: 'Having withstood these campaigns of attempted censorship, we won't standby & allow other artists – particularly those at earlier stages of their careers or in other positions of professional vulnerability – to be threatened into silence or career cancellation. In this spirit, we encourage artists who've been placed in this position, or those who now wish to use their platforms to talk about Palestine, but are concerted about industrial or legal repercussions to contact us.' The post ends with a list of collective demands that Massive Attack and supporting artists have put together: 'Immediate, unfettered access to Gaza for recognised international aid agencies without military threat'; 'the end of the atrocious targeting of medical & aid workers'; 'an end to to UK arm sales/licenses to Israel'; 'an immediate & permanent ceasefire'; 'a free Palestine'. Massive Attack said of the alliance in a statement to the Guardian: 'This collective action is really about offering some kind of solidarity to those artists who are living day after day in a screen-time genocide, but are worried about using their platforms to express their horror at that because of the level of censorship within their industry or from highly organised external legal bodies, terrifying them and their management teams with aggressive legal actions. The intention is clear and obvious: to silence them.' Artists who have already expressed their support for the alliance include Kneecap, Fontaines D.C. and Brian Eno. Kneecap added in their own post: 'End threats and censorship against artists who speak out against the genocide in Palestine. Speak out. Stand up. We are the majority.' Une publication partagée par KNEECAP (@kneecap32) In April, Massive Attack issued a statement supporting Kneecap, following the news that the Irish rap trio were under investigation by counter-terrorism police in the UK. The band were also joined by Dua Lipa, actor Benedict Cumberbatch and ex-footballer and present Gary Lineker – among other high-profile names – in penning a letter to urge Prime Minister Keir Starmer to 'end UK complicity' in Gaza. The letter demanded all UK arms sales to Israel to be immediately suspended and that the government commit to seeking a ceasefire for 'the children of Gaza'. Une publication partagée par Choose Love (@chooselove) Previously, Massive Attack teamed up with Fontaines D.C. and Young Fathers on a 2023 Gaza benefit single, with 100 per cent of the profits from the single donated to the charity Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders to help their emergency operations in Gaza and the West Bank.
