Supporters of Irish language hip-hop group Kneecap have gathered outside a court in London where one of the rappers is appearing on a terror charge. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, charged under the name Liam O'Hanna, is accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig. The 27-year-old, who performs under the name Mo Chara,arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court accompanied by band members Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh). In a statement, posted on social media in May, Kneecap said: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves." The band arrived at court on Wednesday wearing "Free Mo Chara" T-shirts. Fans outside the court have placards saying "Free Mo Chara" and "Defend Kneecap". Large green flags saying "Free Speech, Free Palestine" are also on display. A mixture of Palestinian and Kneecap flags were being held by some of the crowd, and cheers were heard after a van drove past displaying the slogan "More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara". Kneecap said it had "plastered" London with messages of support for its band member. Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio whohave courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise. The group was formed in 2017 by three musicians who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí. Their rise to fame inspired asemi-fictionalised filmstarring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender. The film won aBritish Academy of Film Award(Bafta) in February 2025. In April, the groupfaced criticismafter displaying messages about the war in Gaza during their set at US music festival Coachella. In November 2024, the group won its case against the UK government over a decision Kemi Badenoch took when she was a minister towithdraw an arts grant.
Protesters gather ahead of Kneecap rapper court appearance
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"Kneecap Rapper Faces Court on Terror Charge Amid Supporter Rally"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Supporters of the Irish language hip-hop group Kneecap gathered outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London in solidarity with one of their members, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who is facing a terror charge. The rapper, known as Mo Chara, is accused of showing a flag in support of Hezbollah during a performance. Accompanied by fellow band members Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí, Ó hAnnaidh arrived at the court wearing T-shirts emblazoned with 'Free Mo Chara'. The band's social media presence has been active in asserting their innocence, stating, 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves.' Outside the court, fans displayed placards with slogans such as 'Defend Kneecap' and 'Free Mo Chara', alongside large green flags advocating for free speech and Palestine. The atmosphere was charged, with some in the crowd holding a mix of Palestinian and Kneecap flags, celebrating their cultural identity and the group's artistic expression.
Kneecap, formed in 2017, has gained notoriety for their provocative lyrics and merchandise, challenging societal norms and political issues. Their rise to fame was marked by a semi-fictionalized film that starred Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender and won a BAFTA award in February 2025. However, the group has not been without controversy, having faced backlash for their comments on the Gaza conflict during a performance at the Coachella music festival earlier this year. Additionally, they recently achieved a legal victory against the UK government regarding an arts grant withdrawal decision made by former minister Kemi Badenoch. This court appearance and the fervent support from their fans highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding artistic expression, political activism, and the implications of free speech in contemporary society.
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