Kneecap 'plaster' London with support messages as Mo Chara in court
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year.
The 27-year-old is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday following the alleged incident during a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London.
The charge Og O hAnnaidh faces alleges he displayed a flag in a public place, 'in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation' – namely Hezbollah.
READ MORE: How the G7 has enabled Israel's new genocide rules to be used in Iran
Kneecap described the prosecution as a 'witch hunt' in a post on X on Tuesday evening.
The post including a short video which appeared to show a billboard that had been displayed in London with the words 'more blacks, more dogs, more Irish, Mo Chara'.
Supporters began to gather outside the court building on Wednesday morning holding placards saying 'Free Mo Chara' and 'Defend Kneecap".
(Image: PA) A mixture of Palestinian and Kneecap flags were being held by some of the crowd, and cheers were heard after an ad van drove past displaying the slogan 'More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara'.
Austrian Alexandra Kennedy, who had travelled from her home country to show support, said: 'I think that Kneecap are important to so many people that if Liam Og O hAnnaidh gets a heavy sentence, then maybe people will lose something, they need the connection to Kneecap.'
READ MORE: John Swinney launches report showing Scotland 'must be in charge of destiny'
Copywriter Victoria Ashworth travelled from her home in Brighton with her daughter Lily to attend the protest.
Ashworth, 53, said: 'I just feel like the charges are utterly ridiculous. I believe in freedom of speech.'
The Metropolitan Police said the force had charged O hAnnaidh, who appears on the court list as Liam O'Hanna, after initially being made aware of a video from the gig at the O2 Forum which had been posted online.
In a separate event shortly after the terrorism charge, O hAnnaidh could be seen in social media videos entering the stage with tape covering his mouth.
The Met previously said the Belfast rap trio were under investigation after clips posted online appeared to show the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'.
Kneecap said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, both of which are banned in the UK.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
42 minutes ago
- The Independent
Kneecap receive rockstar reception after terrorism charge court hearing
Rap group Kneecap received a rockstar reception outside court as a judge heard one of its members faces criminal charges for allegedly supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation and not his support for the people of Palestine. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, and his bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and J J O Dochartaigh were cheered by hundreds of supporters as they arrived in 'Free Mo Chara' T-shirts at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. Dozens surged around the entrance of the court building as they made their way inside, with some also entering the lobby before the hearing, trying to get close to the Belfast trio. O hAnnaidh was charged last month after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in November last year. The court heard the 27-year-old is 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on Israel and Palestine, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, is a 'wholly different thing'. After the brief hearing concluded, the defendant exited the court building to a festival-like atmosphere, with fans waving flags, playing drums and one supporter setting off a smoke canister. During the hearing, the allegations against O hAnnaidh were summarised by prosecutor Michael Bisgrove, who said: 'It's not about Mr O 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 O hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. 'Of course, support for the one is not the same as support for the other. 'So the issue in this case, and the reason it has come to court, it centres on the apparent support by Mr O hAnnaidh of a proscribed terrorist organisation.' Wearing a dark zip-up jacket and trousers, the defendant spoke briefly to confirm his identity at the beginning of the hearing. Hundreds of fans, along with journalists, crammed against the doors of the court building as they waited for the performer to leave. Outside court following the hearing, O hAnnaidh's bandmate, Mr O Caireallain, led the huge crowds in chants of 'Free Palestine'. Wearing sunglasses and a keffiyeh, Mr O Caireallain said: 'For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there at 4pm on the Saturday. 'If you can't be there we'll be on the BBC, if anybody watches the BBC. We'll be at Wembley in September. 'But most importantly: free, free Palestine.' O hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on August 20.
North Wales Chronicle
44 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Kneecap receive rockstar reception after terrorism charge court hearing
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, and his bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and J J O Dochartaigh were cheered by hundreds of supporters as they arrived in 'Free Mo Chara' T-shirts at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. Dozens surged around the entrance of the court building as they made their way inside, with some also entering the lobby before the hearing, trying to get close to the Belfast trio. O hAnnaidh was charged last month after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in November last year. The court heard the 27-year-old is 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on Israel and Palestine, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, is a 'wholly different thing'. After the brief hearing concluded, the defendant exited the court building to a festival-like atmosphere, with fans waving flags, playing drums and one supporter setting off a smoke canister. During the hearing, the allegations against O hAnnaidh were summarised by prosecutor Michael Bisgrove, who said: 'It's not about Mr O 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 O hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. 'Of course, support for the one is not the same as support for the other. 'So the issue in this case, and the reason it has come to court, it centres on the apparent support by Mr O hAnnaidh of a proscribed terrorist organisation.' Wearing a dark zip-up jacket and trousers, the defendant spoke briefly to confirm his identity at the beginning of the hearing. Hundreds of fans, along with journalists, crammed against the doors of the court building as they waited for the performer to leave. Outside court following the hearing, O hAnnaidh's bandmate, Mr O Caireallain, led the huge crowds in chants of 'Free Palestine'. Wearing sunglasses and a keffiyeh, Mr O Caireallain said: 'For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there at 4pm on the Saturday. 'If you can't be there we'll be on the BBC, if anybody watches the BBC. We'll be at Wembley in September. 'But most importantly: free, free Palestine.' O hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on August 20.
North Wales Chronicle
44 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Kneecap rapper faces charges for alleged support of terrorist group, court told
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year. Westminster Magistrates' Court heard the 27-year-old is 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on Israel and Palestine, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, is a 'wholly different thing'. Dozens of supporters had surged around the entrance of the court as the band arrived, with some also entering the lobby before the hearing, trying to get close to the trio. After the brief hearing concluded, the defendant exited the court building to a festival-like atmosphere, with fans waving flags, playing drums and one supporter setting off a smoke canister. As he left the court with the other Kneecap members, Naoise O Caireallain and J J O Dochartaigh, loud cheers could be heard as well as chants of 'Free Palestine' from hundreds of their supporters. During the hearing, the allegations against O hAnnaidh were summarised by prosecutor Michael Bisgrove, who said: 'It's not about Mr O 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 O hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. 'Of course, support for the one is not the same as support for the other. 'So the issue in this case, and the reason it has come to court, it centres on the apparent support by Mr O hAnnaidh of a proscribed terrorist organisation.' Wearing a dark zip-up jacket and trousers, the defendant spoke briefly to confirm his identity at the beginning of the hearing. He was greeted by hundreds of supporters as he arrived at court on Wednesday morning alongside the other two members of the Belfast rap trio. Outside court following the hearing, O hAnnaidh's bandmate, Mr O Caireallain, led the huge crowds in chants of 'Free Palestine'. Wearing sunglasses and a keffiyeh, Mr O Caireallain said: 'For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there at 4pm on the Saturday. 'If you can't be there we'll be on the BBC, if anybody watches the BBC. We'll be at Wembley in September. 'But most importantly: free, free Palestine.' O hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on August 20.
