Resist calls to ban Kneecap from Glasgow's TRNSMT says councillor
Jon Molyneux said the Belfast band is being targeted in a smear campaign because it has been outspoken on the war in Gaza and showed support for the Palestinian people.
One of the members attracted condemnation recently for a remark made in 2023 when he said: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.'
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It brought condemnation from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and First Minister John Swinney, who said the band 'crossed a line' and should be removed from the TRNSMT lineup
Councillor Molyneux has brought a motion to Glasgow City Council which will be debated next week.
Molyneux said the reaction to Kneecap's performance at California's Coachella Music Festival and 'the resulting smear campaign, is a direct result of Kneecap's outspoken support for Palestine and should not be indulged.'
He said other acts will have views on other subjects or displayed behaviour that some people don't agree with but have not been met with eh same condemnation.
The motion continued: 'Some Glaswegians will choose not to support an act with views that Kneecap hold, just as others will not support acts which support violence within their music or who have convictions for violence, specifically domestic violence.
'Such acts are scheduled to play in Glasgow this summer and have received no similar condemnation."
(Image: Chris Brown)
Chris Brown, who has a conviction for violence when he was given five years probation and a community service order for an assault on his then girlfriend Rihanna in 2009, is to play Hampden in July.
The rapper 50 Cent, who has admitted his lyrics are misogynist, and who raps about gun violence, is also on the TRNSMT bill.
In the motion, he also backs the right of people to protest and wants the policing policy in the city reviewed.
He said: 'The rights of citizens to lawful protest as a vital part of our democracy and urged the council to 'call on the UK Government to repeal the Conservative's draconian anti-protest legislation'.
Ha wants the council to ask the Safe Glasgow partnership to 'urgently undertake a review of the policing of protest in Glasgow' and for it to include taking evidence from those involved in protests.
The councillor recalls a previous motion from March where the council, 'expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine, reaffirmed its calls for peace in the region'.
He expressed 'deep disappointment at the failure to, so far, secure a lasting ceasefire' and condemned 'the Israeli government's ongoing blockade of Gaza and its resumption of air strikes' which he said has continued the killing of innocent Palestinians.
He also called on Glasgow's Pride to: 'Establish ethical partnerships and sponsors which adhere to the Palestinian led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) guidelines and the Fossil Free Pride pledge, committing to social and environmental justice'.
The motion will be debated at the full council meeting in the City Chambers next Thursday.
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