Kneecap’s Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, recognized by his stage title Mo Chara, has arrived at court docket as a whole lot of protestors turned as much as present their help.
The rapper, 27, is without doubt one of the founding members of the West Belfast hip hop group, which has discovered itself within the highlight in latest months.
In Might, O’ hAnnaidh was charged over an incident at a gig within the O2, the place he’s been accused of displaying a flag in help of the Lebanese Shia Islamist political celebration, Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation within the UK.
The following month, he appeared within the Westminster Justice of the Peace’s Court docket for the primary time, solely talking briefly to substantiate his title earlier than being launched on bail.
At present’s look will see the authorized listening to mentioned.
As he arrived to court docket, the gang of supporters clapped and cheered the musician, with many additionally chanting ‘Free, Free Mo Chara’.
Nevertheless he then struggled to make it into the constructing as safety held again a wave of individuals surrounding O’ hAnnaidh. He was then left caught within the crowd for a minute as guards tried to get him inside.
His bandmates Naoise Ó Caireallain and J.J. Ó Dochartaigh have been additionally there to point out help.
Earlier than his listening to, the London Irish Brigade had organised a ‘Fenian Fleadh’, throughout which audio system and artists appeared to ‘maintain the craic going whereas we increase our voices in solidarity with Liam Óg’ outdoors the court docket.
Final night time, the Metropolitan Police issued a warning to these planning to be within the neighborhood of the court docket this morning.
Sharing a map exhibiting designated areas, it defined: ‘We’ve imposed Public Order Act circumstances to forestall severe disruption being brought on by a protest outdoors Westminster Magistrates’ Court docket tomorrow.
‘Protest in help of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh and aligned causes should stay within the purple space. Any stage have to be erected within the inexperienced space.’
Quickly after the band re-shared the put up, calling the transfer a ‘distraction’.
‘We massively admire the help of what we all know are nearly all of the general public, who can see this farce for what it’s,’ they wrote.
‘It’s distraction from warfare crimes that the British state help. In our view this police motion is designed to attempt to painting help for Kneecap as by some means troublesome.
‘It’s a calculated political choice the night time earlier than Mo Chara’s court docket look. There isn’t any foundation for this, our final listening to was completely peaceable and a loving present of solidarity with essentially the most disruptive attendees the right-wing media. We all know all of our supporters will probably be, however please exit of your option to be compliant with all directions issued, no matter how pitiful. Free Palestine.’
On the identical night time, the band have been supported by their area people in West Belfast, with a mural unveiled exhibiting help for O’ hAnnaidh, Kneecap and Palestine.
‘West Belfast is aware of political policing. West Belfast is aware of colonialism. West Belfast is aware of solidarity,’ the band captioned their put up sharing a picture of the paintings.
On the time of Ó hAnnaidh’s arrest, the band issued a press release which stated they’d ‘vehemently defend ourselves’ and claimed they have been being focused with ‘political policing’.
‘As an alternative of defending harmless folks, or the ideas of worldwide legislation they declare to uphold, the highly effective in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, simply as they did in Eire for hundreds of years. Then, like now, they declare justification. The IDF models they arm and fly spy airplane missions for are the true terrorists, the entire world can see it,’ it continued.
‘We stand proudly with the folks. You stand complicit with the warfare criminals. We’re on the best aspect of historical past. You aren’t. We’ll combat you in court docket. We’ll win. Free Palestine.’
After the band carried out at Glastonbury Pageant in June, they turned the topics of a police investigation into statements made throughout their set, nonetheless quickly after the probe was dropped.
Regardless of this they’ve continued to face backlash, together with being banned from Hungary for 3 years, which was introduced simply weeks earlier than they’d been resulting from play Sziget Pageant in Budapest.
Responding to the ban, the band stated it was ‘outrageous’ and ‘no authorized foundation for the motion’.
‘It’s clear that is political distraction and an additional try to silence those that name out genocide towards the Palestinian folks.
The band have repeatedly shut down claims they help Hamas and have denied accusations of anti-Semitism.
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