Kneecap issue statement following Mo Chara’s terrorism charge: “We are on the right side of history”
Kneecap have issued a defiant statement after Mo Chara was charged with a terror offence on May 21st for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London concert last year.
Hezbollah is listed as a terrorist organisation by the UK authorities and Chara, real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, is now set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18th.
The charge comes after the Metropolitan Police previously said on May 1st: “On April 22, we were made aware of an online video believed to be from a music event in London in November 2024. Following this, we were made aware of a further video, believed to be from another music event in London in November 2023. Both videos were referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment by specialist officers, who have determined there are grounds for further investigation into potential offenses linked to both videos.”
“The investigation is now being carried out by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and inquiries remain ongoing at this time,” the message continued.
Now, Kneecap have hit back at the charge, sharing on social media, “14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us. They profit from genocide, they use an ‘anti-terror law’ against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage. A charge not serious enough to even warrant their ‘crown court’, instead a court that doesn’t have a jury.”
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They also confirmed they “deny this offence”, described the charge as “political policing” and labelled the situation “a carnival of distraction”.
The Irish trio continued: “What’s the objective? To restrict our ability to travel. To prevent us speaking to young people across the world. To silence voices of compassion. To prosecute artists who dare speak out. Instead of defending innocent people, or the principles of international law they claim to uphold, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, just as they did in Ireland for centuries. Then, like now, they claim justification.”
Kneecap concluded: “We stand proudly with the people. You stand complicit with the war criminals. We are on the right side of history. You are not. We will fight you in your court. We will win. Free Palestine.”
As it stands, Kneecap remain to make their live return on May 23rd when they headline Wide Awake in London’s Brockwell Park and will also play Glastonbury Festival next month.
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