Canadian MP Vince Gasparro faces a legal challenge after making allegedly false and harmful statements against Kneecap, a banned Northern Irish band, leading to their lawsuit.
In the world of music, Irish rap trio Kneecap made a significant stride last night (September 18) as they performed their biggest England gig to date at the 12,500-capacity OVO Wembley Arena. This performance comes amidst a contentious ban on the group from entering Canada.
The ban, imposed due to statements deemed contrary to Canadian values, was announced by Canadian Liberal MP Vince Gasparro on Monday, September 15. Gasparro accused Kneecap of amplifying political violence and publicly displaying support for terrorist organisations such as Hezbollah and Hamas. However, Kneecap have consistently denied such allegations.
The legal action against Gasparro was initiated by Kneecap themselves, following his accusations. The group has responded to Gasparro's comments, calling them "wholly untrue and deeply malicious" and threatening legal action.
One of the members, Mo Chara, is currently facing terrorism charges for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag on stage in London in November 2020. Chara's case was adjourned until September 26 in a court appearance last month.
Despite the ban and the ongoing legal issues, Kneecap has been receiving support from the music industry. They have been encouraged by artists such as Massive Attack and Ben Jamal, who described Kneecap as "a band who refused to be silenced for their solidarity with the Palestinian people".
Kneecap is among Fontaines DC, Amyl & The Sniffers, and over 400 other artists to have joined the No Music For Genocide campaign. They have also announced a live-streamed performance for fans after being forced to cancel their US tour due to the "close proximity of [their] next court hearing".
In a positive turn of events, Kneecap will head out on a 2025 UK headline tour in November. Their gig at the OVO Wembley Arena was met with a glowing five-star review by NME.
As the legal battle continues, Kneecap is also making a stand on a different front. They have stated they will donate any funds won in court to assist child amputees in Gaza. The group is also encouraging major label groups Sony, UMG, and Warner to follow suit, particularly as they blocked their entire catalogues from and closed operations in Russia a month into their invasion of Ukraine.
The campaign involving Kneecap and other artists includes Rina Sawayama, MIKE, Primal Scream, Faye Webster, and Japanese Breakfast. To join the coalition, the artists involved have edited their own release territories or sent geo-block requests to their distributor or label.
As the saga unfolds, Kneecap continues to make waves in the music industry, standing firm in their beliefs and solidarity, even in the face of adversity.
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