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Kneecap’s Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara, has arrived at court as hundreds of protestors turned up to show their support.
The rapper, 27, is one of the founding members of the West Belfast hip hop group, which has found itself in the spotlight in recent months.
In May, O’ hAnnaidh was charged over an incident at a gig in the O2, where he’s been accused of displaying a flag in support of the Lebanese Shia Islamist political party, Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK.
The next month, he appeared in the Westminster Magistrate’s Court for the first time, only speaking briefly to confirm his name before being released on bail.
Today’s appearance will see the legal hearing discussed.
As he arrived to court, the crowd of supporters clapped and cheered the musician, with many also chanting ‘Free, Free Mo Chara’.
However he then struggled to make it into the building as security held back a wave of people surrounding O’ hAnnaidh. He was then left stuck in the crowd for a minute as guards tried to get him inside.
His bandmates Naoise Ó Caireallain and J.J. Ó Dochartaigh were also there to show support.
Before his hearing, the London Irish Brigade had organised a ‘Fenian Fleadh’, during which speakers and artists appeared to ‘keep the craic going while we raise our voices in solidarity with Liam Óg’ outside the court.
Last night, the Metropolitan Police issued a warning to those planning to be in the vicinity of the court this morning.
Sharing a map showing designated areas, it explained: ‘We’ve imposed Public Order Act conditions to prevent serious disruption being caused by a protest outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
‘Protest in support of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh and aligned causes must remain in the red area. Any stage must be erected in the green area.’
Soon after the band re-shared the post, calling the move a ‘distraction’.
‘We massively appreciate the support of what we know are the majority of the public, who can see this farce for what it is,’ they wrote.
‘It is distraction from war crimes that the British state support. In our view this police action is designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome.
‘It is a calculated political decision the night before Mo Chara’s court appearance. There is no basis for this, our last hearing was entirely peaceful and a loving show of solidarity with the most disruptive attendees the right-wing media. We know all of our supporters will be, but please go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful. Free Palestine.’
On the same night, the band were supported by their local community in West Belfast, with a mural unveiled showing support for O’ hAnnaidh, Kneecap and Palestine.
‘West Belfast knows political policing. West Belfast knows colonialism. West Belfast knows solidarity,’ the band captioned their post sharing an image of the artwork.
At the time of Ó hAnnaidh’s arrest, the band issued a statement which said they would ‘vehemently defend ourselves’ and claimed they were being targeted with ‘political policing’.
‘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. The IDF units they arm and fly spy plane missions for are the real terrorists, the whole world can see it,’ it continued.
‘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 court. We will win. Free Palestine.’
After the band performed at Glastonbury Festival in June, they became the subjects of a police investigation into statements made during their set, however soon after the probe was dropped.
Despite this they’ve continued to face backlash, including being banned from Hungary for three years, which was announced just weeks before they’d been due to play Sziget Festival in Budapest.
Responding to the ban, the band said it was ‘outrageous’ and ‘no legal basis for the action’.
‘It’s clear this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.
The band have repeatedly shut down claims they support Hamas and have denied accusations of anti-Semitism.
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