Kneecap hit back at "malicious" terrorism allegations following Canada ban
The Irish rap trio have been banned from entering the country after government officials accused them of “glorifying terrorist organisations”
Kneecap have hit back at "malicious and untrue" allegations after the Canadian government banned them from performing in the country.
The Irish rap trio were due to perform a run of shows in Canada this October, however on Friday (September 19), the Canadian government made the decision to prohibit Kneecap from entering the country on the grounds of "glorifying terrorist organisations."
“Recently, the rap group Kneecap has engaged in actions and have made statements that are contrary to Canadian values and laws that have caused deep alarm to our government," Canadian MP and Parliamentary Secretary Vince Gasparro said in a statement.
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“The group have amplified political violence and publicly displayed support for terrorist organisations such as Hezbollah and Hamas," he continued. “These are not expressions of art or legitimate political critique, they are dangerous endorsements of violence and hate.
“That is why, as parliamentary secretary for combating crime, I am announcing that, effective immediately, the members of Kneecap have been deemed ineligible to enter Canada.”
Gasparro went on to reference the ongoing terror case against Kneecap member Mo Chara, AKA Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, the verdict of which was delayed last month due to a "technical blunder" — a new hearing has been set for September 26.
Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terror offence in May after a video resurfaced, allegedly showing him flying a Hezbollah flag during a 2024 London show. Hezbollah is a banned terrorist organisation under the 2000 Terrorism Act.
The group have defended themselves against the charge, accusing the Met of “political policing”, and calling the ordeal a “carnival of distractions” by the British government.
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Kneecap hit back at the ruling in a statement on Twitter, writing: “Your comments about us are wholly untrue and deeply malicious. We will not accept it. No member of Kneecap has been convicted of ANY crime in ANY country EVER."
Read the full statement from Kneecap below.
[Via: The Guardian]
Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter