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Police have ‘proportionate and considered' plan ahead of Glasgow Kneecap gig
Police have ‘proportionate and considered' plan ahead of Glasgow Kneecap gig

BreakingNews.ie

time6 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • BreakingNews.ie

Police have ‘proportionate and considered' plan ahead of Glasgow Kneecap gig

Police Scotland say they have a 'proportionate and considered policing plan' ahead of Kneecap's gig in Glasgow, which replaces their cancelled slot at the TRNSMT festival. Kneecap were axed from the line-up of TRNSMT in the city amid a row over an investigation by counter-terror police into rapper Mo Chara, who is accused of terrorism offences related to a Hezbollah flag he allegedly held up on stage. Advertisement The satirical Belfast rap group, who perform in Irish, have been outspoken critics of the war in Gaza and said the prosecution – following an investigation by the Met Police – is linked to their views on Palestine. TRNSMT cancelled Kneecap's performance at the end of May over safety concerns by Police Scotland. On Tuesday, they are set to perform a sold-out gig at the O2 Academy in Glasgow, days before TRNSMT begins on Friday. As well as Kneecap, Billie Eilish and Kendrick Lamar are also performing in Glasgow on Tuesday. Advertisement Police Scotland say they will aim to minimise disruption in the city. In May, First Minister John Swinney urged for TRNSMT to cancel the performance on July 11, saying that 'organisers of TRNSMT have got to consider that issue.' Musicians perform among supporters of Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London (Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire). Mo Chara, also known as Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh was charged under the name Liam O'Hanna by the Metropolitan Police in May, over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig, and appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18th. The furore led to calls from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch for Glastonbury to cancel a performance from the Belfast rappers on June 28th, which the festival organisers did not do. Advertisement Despite being cancelled from TRNSMT, Kneecap are still due to perform scheduled shows at 2000trees rock festival on July 10th, Wythenshawe Park in Manchester on August 15th and Belfast Vital on August 29th – nine days after Ó hAnnaidh's next court appearance. At the last hearing, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said: 'It's not about Mr Ó hAnnaidh's support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel. 'He's well within his rights to voice his opinions and solidarity, as is anybody else. 'The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with a video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr Ó hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'.' Advertisement Kneecap have said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. Superintendent Paul Douglas said: 'We are aware of a number of events and concerts due to take place in the Greater Glasgow area in the week beginning Monday July 7th, 2025. 'A proportionate and considered policing plan is in place within the city and we are working with a number of stakeholders to ensure the safety of all those attending these events and where possible minimise disruption to the people of Glasgow.'

Suzanne Harrington: 'Terrorist-adjacent', hilarious, galvanising, inspirational Kneecap
Suzanne Harrington: 'Terrorist-adjacent', hilarious, galvanising, inspirational Kneecap

Irish Examiner

time15-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Irish Examiner

Suzanne Harrington: 'Terrorist-adjacent', hilarious, galvanising, inspirational Kneecap

At a moment where that Chinese curse — may you live in interesting times — is taking itself far too literally, we could all do with a fat slap of levity. I'm pinning my hopes on Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh when he shows up at Westminster magistrates court this Wednesday on terror charges. I'm hoping he'll ask for a translator, like he did while playing a version of himself in the Kneecap film. That life will imitate art, and he will not speak a single word of English during this nonsensical waste of Liam's time and taxpayers' cash. Because really... terror charges? A surreal idea, like something dreamed up by Flann O'Brien and Franz Kafka after sharing a pot of peyote tea. These charges do not include any actual terrorism — no bombing of schools and hospitals, vaporising ambulances, starving and murdering tens of thousands of civilians — but centre on the alleged handling of a banned flag indoors last November. Touching a rectangle of fabric. Briefly. Kneecap, who have asked supporters to gather outside the London court building on the day, describe this moment of British power-flexing theatrics as 'political policing', a 'carnival of distraction'. Goliath, as ever, punching down; Daithí readying his sling. Because if the British government wants a carnival, it could not have cast better players. Kneecap know all about performance, situationism, absurdism. They themselves are fearless theatre. Imagine then this life-imitating-art scenario, where Liam Óg speaks only Irish in court. Imagine how funny that would be, how utterly, brilliantly comedic, how richly satisfying. The spluttering, the outrage, the apoplexy. The hilarity. The glee. And yes, it's a lot to ask a 27-year-old facing the wrath of the British establishment doing their best to intimidate, to derail his career, but tá bualain ar an bhuach. (And yes, of course I had to google that. I can't speak Irish; unlike Peig Sayers, Kneecap are the first people who have ever inspired me to look up any Irish words. Don't hate me if it reads like a badly translated menu). Celtic fans unveil a banner that reads "Free Palestine" and "Kneecap Abu" during the Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday May 24, 2025. PA Photo. That's why the establishment wants to squash Kneecap, cancel them, restrict their movement — because they inspire. They galvanise. Like those enormous peaceful marches for Palestine that regularly bring central London to a halt but are never reported by the BBC or other major British media (turnout for the last one on May 17 was 500,000-600,000) — Kneecap, along with a handful of other vocal critics, are doing what the British government is not: loudly calling out atrocities. They're being labelled as terrorist-adjacent for their trouble, as they provide a focus for people appalled at the genocide, appalled at the complicity of the US and Britain. Along with the marches, along with other musicians such as Fontaines and Macklemore, they are providing an unofficial form of anger management. It must be infuriating therefore for those keen to shut them up to see how the more Kneecap hold their nerve, hold their principles ('If it comes down to awards or breaking America by sacrificing what you believe in, then America can go fuck itself') the bigger they get. Cancelled from a Scottish festival that caved to 'safety concerns', they sold out an alternative venue in seconds. Glastonbury refused to cancel them. And in September, they play their biggest venue to date — Wembley Arena. The cancelling is not going well. I'm off to google the Irish for 'fight the power'. Read More Film Reviews: How to Train Your Dragon makes superb use of Northern Irish scenery

Kneecap appoint legal ‘dream team' including Birmingham Six lawyer ahead of terror charge court case
Kneecap appoint legal ‘dream team' including Birmingham Six lawyer ahead of terror charge court case

Irish Independent

time13-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Irish Independent

Kneecap appoint legal ‘dream team' including Birmingham Six lawyer ahead of terror charge court case

Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh (27), who uses the stage name Mo Chara, was charged by British police last month with a terrorism offence over the alleged display of a flag in support of Hezbollah at a London gig in November 2024. The group claim the charges are part of an establishment campaign to silence them over their criticism of Israel over Gaza. Scores of fellow artists, including Paul Weller, Massive Attack and Portishead, have come out in support of the group. The rap trio have announced the legal team that will represent Ó Hannaidh when he appears at Westminster Magistrates' Court next Wednesday. It includes experts in human rights and criminal defence law, such as international human rights lawyer Darragh Mackin, who represented Stardust fire families, and criminal defence expert Gareth Peirce, who has defended the Birmingham Six and the Guilford Four. "The British establishment is conducting a campaign against Kneecap which is to be fought in Westminster Magistrates court,' the band said in a statement. "We are ready for this fight. We are proud to have a strong legal team with us. We are on the right side of history. You are not. We will fight you in your court. We will win.' They described the team of six high-profile lawyers as 'the dream team'. Human rights lawyer Mr Mackin, who is 'renowned for his representation of the families of the Stardust fire, the 'Hooded Men' who were subject to torture by the British Government, and his role in changing the law against abortion in the North', will be accompanied by Ms Peirce and Brenda Campbell KC, the band said. They described Ms Campbell as 'a high-profile criminal defence specialist regularly appearing in cases relating to terrorism and protest law' who has previously represented 'the families of the Hillsborough disaster, the Stardust families and the family of Noah Donohoe'. Jude Bunting KC, an 'expert in freedom of expression' who has appeared for national and international media outlets, including 'in the challenge to MI5 for their handling of a neo-Nazi agent' who abused his partner, will also be involved in the case, the band said. ADVERTISEMENT Barrister Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC, who recently appeared before the International Criminal Court of Justice on behalf of South Africa in the genocide case against Israel over its actions in Gaza, and Rosalyn Comyn, who recently acted for the environmental protesters who threw soup at Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting in their appeal against their sentence, will also appear. Kneecap have previously said they will 'vehemently defend' themselves against the terrorism offence brought Ó hAnnaidh by British police, describing it as 'political' and a 'distraction'. He was charged over the alleged display of a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November last year by the Metropolitan Police by postal requisition on May 21.

Kneecap to Perform at 2025 Glastonbury Festival Despite Calls to Drop Band
Kneecap to Perform at 2025 Glastonbury Festival Despite Calls to Drop Band

Yahoo

time05-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Kneecap to Perform at 2025 Glastonbury Festival Despite Calls to Drop Band

The controversial Belfast rap band Kneecap will still appear at the 2025 Glastonbury music festival in the U.K., organizers announced Tuesday. Kneecap keeping its Glastonbury billing by performing on the West Holts Stage on June 28 follows political pressure to drop the band after one of its members, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, was charged with a terror offense in the U.K. after an incident on Nov. 21 at a venue in north London. More from The Hollywood Reporter Faster Pussycat Singer Taime Downe Opens Up About Late Fiancée's "Heartbreaking" Death After She Went Overboard on 80s Cruise Animated Werewolf Movie 'Dog of God' Debuts Wild Trailer With Hitler Look-Alike Getting Tortured (Exclusive) GKids Acquires Japanese Anime 'ChaO' for North America (Exclusive) The group, whose members include Naoise Ó Cairealláin and J.J. Ó Dochartaigh, has drawn widespread criticism and the attention of the Metropolitan Police after online videos showed the band allegedly calling for the death of British parliament ministers, as well as chanting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah.' It is illegal in the U.K. to express support for Hezbollah as it is considered a terrorist organization in Britain. And in April, Kneecap displayed political messages about the ongoing war in Gaza during the group's Coachella set, after which a number of Kneecap concerts in Germany were canceled. Kneecap, responding to the criticism, apologized to the families of murdered members of Parliament and claimed they have faced 'deliberate distortions and falsehoods.' The band also denied they have ever supported Hamas or Hezbollah. While Glastonbury has retained Kneecap on their billing, the band was dropped from Scotland's TRNSMT festival for a July 11 concert over police concerns for safety. 'Due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event, Kneecap can no longer perform at TRNSMT,' the rap group said on X. Kneecap also announced a replacement concert at the O2 Academy in Glasgow for July 8, which has already sold out. Glastonbury, set to run June 25 to 29 at Worthy Farm, Somerset, gets extensive play on the BBC's radio and TV services. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More

Irish hip hop group dropped from TRNSMT lineup due to Police Scotland concerns
Irish hip hop group dropped from TRNSMT lineup due to Police Scotland concerns

Scotsman

time28-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Scotsman

Irish hip hop group dropped from TRNSMT lineup due to Police Scotland concerns

Irish hip-hop group Kneecap are still scheduled to headline Wide Awake festival in London on Friday evening despite member Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh being charged with a terror offence. | Getty Images for BFI Announcement comes after an intervention from Police Scotland last week, issuing a statement saying Kneecap performing at TRNSMT festival would require a significant police operation. Ticket holders were told this evening that the group will not be performing at the July concert in Glasgow Green. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Irish hip hop band Kneecap have been taken off the line-up for this year's TRNSMT festival at Glasgow Green. The promoter, DF Concerts, issued an update to all ticket holders this evening: 'Due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event, Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT on Friday, 11 July. We thank fans for their understanding.' Having weathered the intervention of politicians following their appearance at Coachella, support of Palestine and criticism of Israel, the band's scheduled performance in the festival lineup has now been cancelled due to the position of Police Scotland that Kneecap's performance would require a significant policing operation that would be incompatible with the promoter's plan for the opening day of the festival. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Last week, a police spokesperson said: "There was no prior consultation with Police Scotland before acts were booked. Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event. We have also passed on information from the public around safety concerns to allow organisers to make an informed decision on the running of the festival." Consultation with police before the booking of music acts for a festival in Glasgow is not considered to be common practice. When asked for comment this evening, Police Scotland provided the same statement. Kneecap immediately announced a gig at Glasgow's O2 Academy on confirmation of the lineup change: 'To the thousands of people who bought tickets, flights and hotels to see us play, we are is out of our hands. Glasgow has always been a huge city for us. We've played there many many times, with no issues - ever. Make of that what you will. To try to make up for it, we will be at your O2 Academy on Tuesday July 8th. - Pre-sale is tomorrow at 10am in our WhatsApp channel. - General sale is 10am this coming Saturday. ' Police Scotland and the promoter of the festival have been in regular contact regarding the staging of TRNSMT at Glasgow Green, an annual event that has been taking place since 2017. Police Scotland singled out the band in discussions, making representations regarding what they consider to be the local context of Kneecap performing at TRNSMT. Police concerns centred on the potential for football related flashpoints in the area surrounding the festival, the city centre and in the festival due to the rivalry between Celtic and Rangers fans and the Irish republican lyrics of Kneecap. Police registered concerns that the band's performance would require additional policing because of potential crowd reaction. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The move comes after a special police operation for the most recent Celtic v Rangers match. In March, football supporters from The Green Brigade and Rangers' Union Bears ultras groups were kettled by police and denied entry to the Celtic Park after police used Section 60 powers, intended to be used to search individuals for weapons. Supporters were reported to the procurator fiscal for concealing their identity. In April, First Minister John Swinney backed calls for Kneecap to be removed from the lineup for this year's TRNSMT music festival after outrage over a video clip from a performance in 2023. Organisers were urged to drop the Belfast trio over footage from a gig that appeared to show a band member saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." Swinney said the alleged comments "crossed a line" and were unacceptable. He said: 'It would be unacceptable for me for the band to perform on such a stage given the fact their comments are so beyond the pale. I think TRNSMT have got to respond to that.' On 21 May, Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged by the Metropolitan Police after an incident on 21 November 2024 at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London. Mr Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 18 June. In a statement posted on social media, Kneecap said: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves." A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said this evening that the decision to remove the band from the lineup was a matter for the promoter and Police Scotland. Last month, council leader Susan Aitken said the local auhtority would not support a ban on the group performing in the city: 'The UK is a state where MPs have been murdered in recent years. Words can and do matter. That – certainly not on the part of the SNP group – doesn't translate into support for a ban on them playing in Glasgow or indeed anywhere else.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kneecap have been the focus of intense international scrutiny following their vocal criticism of Israeli military action in Gaza, particularly after their appearance at Coachella. Last month, music artists including Fontaines DC - who appear at TRNSMT on Saturday 12 July - Massive Attack, Dexys and The Pogues, signed an open letter in support of the band saying they face "a clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform the group."

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