Latest news with #FREEPALESTINE
Chicago Tribune
20-07-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Little Village buildings spray-painted with swastikas, pro-ICE statement
Swastikas were spray-painted on several buildings in Little Village over the weekend, and one building was tagged a second time with a pro-immigration enforcement statement, community members said. According to a statement from the Chicago Police Department, three buildings in the 2700 block of West Cermak Road and one in the 2500 block were vandalized around midnight Saturday. Community members said a grocery store and two community organizations were spray-painted with swastikas in the 2700 block of West Cermak. Half of the front wall of La Frutería grocery store is 50 feet of uninterrupted cinderblock wall — a perfect canvas for the street artists whose murals occupy the space. Bibiana Mesa, one of the owners of La Frutería grocery store, said they decided to give the space to the community when they bought the business five years ago. 'It's either we have them do something to relate a message, or we have it getting tagged by gangs in the area or whatnot,' she said. 'It brings up a lot of colors, and it makes people feel good, our community is being represented.' In the past, the wall has been home to a Chicago Bulls cartoon and a mural honoring the Hispanic community, Mesa said. Until Sunday, the wall featured a mural reading 'FREE PALESTINE' with a child standing on a pile of burning rubble in front of a Palestinian flag. The Mesas check their building for issues every morning when they arrive. On Saturday, as they pulled up in their car, they saw there were swastikas on the front of the building. 'And as we looked around, we noticed that other buildings around the area were vandalized as well,' Mesa said. The Mesas painted over the swastikas on their building Saturday, but the swastikas were still visible. They decided the mural had to be painted over completely to remove all traces and planned to do so on Sunday. But when they came in Sunday morning, 'ICE RULES' had been added to the front of the building, an apparent reference to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The full facade is now the same shade of pink as the rest of the building. Still, the Mesas are hoping that local artists will reach out to propose new mural ideas. 'These people are trying to scare us, but you know, we're here with strong community, and we will get through this,' Mesa said. This follows a similar incident in Pilsen in June, in which a woman defaced a mural at 16th Street and Ashland Avenue and was accused of attacking another woman who tried to stop her. That mural depicted solidarity between a Mexican and a Palestinian man. Latinos Progresando, a nonprofit that provides community services for the Mexican community, including immigration legal services and education, posted pictures on social media of a swastika painted on its front door. In an accompanying statement, it wrote that 'at least four other entities' had been similarly targeted. 'It is clear that the perpetrator, motivated by a federal government who has unleashed masked, heavily armed ICE agents into our neighborhood, believed that this cowardly act would further intimidate, frighten, and divide our community,' the statement read. 'Let's be clear about one thing — Latinos Progresando will not back away from our values or be deterred from our work because of this heinous criminal act. We are not going anywhere.' The third building tagged was the Chicago Liberation Center, a community center where social media posts show people have recently gathered to focus on actions against ICE and deportation. A window flying a Palestinian flag was painted with a swastika that has since been removed. Police said no one is in custody and detectives are investigating.
Extra.ie
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Kneecap release new t-shirts ahead of court date
Kneecap have released new t-shirts on their website after band member Mo Chara was handed a terrorism charge, as they stated 'good lawyers aren't cheap.' The rapper, whose real name is Liam Óg ÓhAnnaidh, has been charged after displaying a Hezbollah flag at one of the band's concerts at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, last November. 27-year-old Mo Chara is due to appear at Westminister Magistrates' Court in London on June 18. Kneecap have released new t-shirts on their website after band member Mo Chara was handed a terrorism charge, as they stated 'good lawyers aren't cheap.' Pic: Nils Jorgensen/REX/Shutterstock Taking to social media on Saturday, the band shared details of the latest garment to hit their store front, a black t-shirt with the words 'FREE MO CHARA' on the front in bold white. 'Well well a Chairde Gael,' the band shared, 'The Met police have gone and hit Mo Chara with a terrorism charge for allegedly holding a flag… 'Here's a wee t-shirt to show your support! Wear it proudly… the few quid will help us too… good lawyers aren't cheap.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32) They added: 'What a world… Murdering children will land your illegal state in the eurovision song contest, mentioning a ceasefire and calling out a genocide will lead to worldwide condemnation, a terrorism charge and the cancellation of gigs. 'FREE PALESTINE.' The latest comes after the band were pulled from Scottish festival, TRNSMT, due to 'concerns expressed by the Police.' A statement from Police Scotland said officers 'highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event.' The band issued an apology via X, stating: 'We've played there [Glasgow] many many times, with no issues — ever. Make of that what you will.' As a means 'to try to make up for it,' the band scheduled a replacement gig at the O2 Academy in July.
Spectator
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Kneecap are not rebels
Better rebels than Kneecap would've begun their headline set at Wide Awake festival in south London on Friday night with a show of defiance against the British state, a swipe at the occupier in its fortress capital. Perhaps they would've unfurled a great big yellow Hezbollah banner. As it was, Kneecap flashed the message 'FREE PALESTINE' on a screen, showed a montage of criticism the band had received from Sharon Osborne and some Fox News pundits and the shadow home secretary Chris Philp, and walked on stage to 'It's been ages,' one of their less popular songs. The moment demanded more. Kneecap had done a small set at the 100 Club on Oxford Street on Thursday evening, but Wide Awake was their first real show since one of the group's members, Mo Chara, was charged on Wednesday with terrorism offences by the Metropolitan Police.
NDTV
22-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Video: Israel Embassy Shooting Suspect Chants "Free Palestine" After Attack
The suspect behind the killing of two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington shouted "Free, free Palestine", as he was being taken into police custody after the crime that has sent shockwaves across the world. The single shooter, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, carried out the killings outside the Capital Jewish Museum. The victims were identified as Sarah Lynn Milgrim and her partner Yaron Lischinsky, who both worked at the Israeli embassy in Washington. As Rodriguez discarded his weapon after being caught by the cops, he chanted: "Free, free Palestine". 🚨BREAKING VIDEO: Man who sh0t Israeli diplomats screams FREE PALESTINE multiple times while being taken into custody by DC police — Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) May 22, 2025 Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith said that prior to the shooting, the man was observed pacing back and forth outside of the museum. He approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire. "After the shooting the suspect then entered the museum and was detained by event security," Mr Smith said. The shooting occurred just steps from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Washington Field Office, located in Northwest DC. US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said an active investigation is underway and that federal authorities are coordinating with local law enforcement to determine the full circumstances. President Donald Trump quickly condemned the attack, saying: "These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!" "Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA," he posted on social media. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said "this was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and bring them to justice."
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
TRNSMT act Kneecap break silence after member Liam O'Hanna charged with terror offence
Kneecap have released a statement following the news that band member Liam O'Hanna has been charged by the Metropolitan Police with a terrorism offence. TRNSMT bound Irish rap group Kneecap have issued a statement following news that member Liam O'Hanna has been charged with a terrorism offence. Liam O'Hanna, 27, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged over the alleged displaying of a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north-west London, on November 21 last year, the Metropolitan Police said. O'Hanna, of Belfast, was charged by postal requisition and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18, according to the force. Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command were made aware on April 22 of an online video from the event, the force said. An investigation led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising the charge. In a post on X the band, which consists of fellow members Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaig, shared a video of Liam speaking in an RTE clip, reports the Mirror. They said: "Recorded in January and just aired on RTE tv now." They then quoted what Liam said in the video: "I don't want to be 80, 90 years of age and my grandkids asking me about the Palestinian genocide? Me sitting there being like f**k, I didn't do enough. I don't wanna be on that side of history. If it comes down to awards or breaking America by sacrifice what you believe in, then America can go f**k itself." The band added: "We are clearer than ever on who we are and what we stand for. We will have a short statement soon. FREE PALESTINE." Counter-terror cops were said to be investigating the group's Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí after more footage surfaced from previous concerts in 2023 and 2024, where a member appeared to chant 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. The Met Police confirmed on Sunday that a man was interviewed under caution at a station in Belfast as part of the broader investigation into the band. The Belfast-based band are still booked to perform at TRNSMT in Glasgow on July 11 and Glastonbury on June 27. Previously, the rap trio had seen gigs including a performance at the Eden Project in Cornwall on July 4 cancelled after historic concert footage appeared to show a member of the group shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah ', and another video allegedly showing one calling for Conservative MPs to be killed. First Minister John Swinney backed the calls for a ban, saying it would be "unacceptable" for the band to take to such high-profile stages. However, the band remain on the TRNSMT line-up and SNP councillors in Glasgow rejected the calls to ban them from the Glasgow festival. Kneecap have apologised to the families of murdered MPs, but claimed footage of the incident had been 'exploited and weaponised', while they also said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are both banned organisations in the UK. The trio added: "To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt." The Daily Mail reported yesterday that music agents have allegedly written to Glastonbury festival organisers, urging them to ban the hip-hop group from the iconic music festival. The email exchange was apparently leaked to Kneecap, and they have reportedly threatened legal action in return. In the letter, according to the Mail, the group ask for an apology and accuse their critics of attempting to restrict freedom of expression. It reads: "Your correspondence seeks to monopolise your status within the industry to impose direct and concerted pressure on Glastonbury, to restrict freedom of expression. "Such a direct and coordinated approach seeks to create a chilling effect upon the wider music industry whereby those who hold opposing views, will seek to impose their own view on the wider industry." The letter threatens to "commence high court civil proceedings for damages for the damage you have inflicted". It adds: "However, before our clients formally seek to issue pre-action correspondence, we write to offer you the opportunity to resolve these matters by way of an immediate and unequivocal apology." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
