Hundreds of Kneecap fans gathered outside Westminster Magistrates Court today to support one of its members ahead of his anticipated appearance, after he was charged with a terrorism offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of the terrorist group Hezbollah at a gig in November last year, ‘in such a way or in such a circumstance as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation’.
The 27-year-old was charged with a terrorism offence following an alleged incident during a gig at the O2 Forum Kentish Town on 21 November 2024.
Ahead of the hearing, the rap band urged their admirers to ‘show up for Kneecap’ outside Westminster Magistrates Court.
As the band arrived at the court just after 9.30am, the crowd erupted into cheers and shouts as some of the members concealed their faces with red, black and white Keffiyeh scarves on their way in.
The 27-year-old entered the court building as security officers attempted to usher him through the front entrance.
In a series of Instagram infographics, the band said: ‘The attack on Mo Chara of Kneecap is part of a broader crackdown on solidarity with Palestine.
Mo Chara is seen arriving at Westminster Magistrates’ Court ahead of the hearing
Some of the band members were concealing their faces with red, black and white Keffiyeh scarves
J. J. O Dochartaighwas also seen going into the court to support his fellow band member
Demonstrators holding up signs displaying ‘Free Mo Chara’ and ‘drop the charges’
Supporters gathered outside the court to show their support for the band member
Videos emerged of a Kneecap gig at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London in November 2024 where one of the band members appeared to shout ‘up Hamas, up Hezbollah’, and was draped in the Hezbollah flag
‘British terrorism legislation was first brought in against the Irish liberation struggle.
‘Today it is being used to repress and censor all those who stand with Palestine, against British support for Zionism.
‘Defend the right to defend Palestine.’
Fans who gathered outside the courts were seen waving Irish and Palestinian flags while holding signs stating: ‘Free Mo Chara’, ‘F*** you Netanyahu’ and ‘Kneecap: Rap for what is right’.
Many protesters also draped themselves in Keffiyehs – a type of Arabic scarf often associated with supporters of the pro-Palestine movement – while others were seen sporting high-vis vests.
At the centre of the demonstration, campaigners erected a stage for performances of music as well as speeches.
Meanwhile, dozens of police officers arrived outside the courtroom at around 9am while chants of ‘free, free Palestine’ and ‘free, free Mo Chara’ rang out through the streets as protesters anxiously awaited the arrival of Kneecap.
