"Kneecap have been barred from entering Canada, Vince Gasparro, the country's parliamentary secretary for combating crime, announced in a video on social media today (September 19). Gasparro accused the Irish rap trio of amplifying political violence and displaying antisemitic symbols, alluding to the alleged shows of support for Hezbollah and Hamas for which bandmember Mo Chara is awaiting trial in the United Kingdom. (Kneecap have said they do not support either organization.)"
"The band responded in a statement that it would pursue legal action against Gasparro for his "wholly untrue and deeply malicious" comments and reaffirmed its support for the Palestinian cause. The group's statement continued, "We will be relentless in defending ourselves against baseless accusations to silence our opposition to a genocide being committed by Israel. When we beat you in court, which we will, we will donate every cent to assist some of the thousands of child amputees in Gaza.""
Kneecap were barred from entering Canada by a government official citing accusations that the group amplified political violence and displayed antisemitic symbols. The accusations referenced alleged shows of support for Hezbollah and Hamas connected to bandmember Mo Chara, who is awaiting trial in the United Kingdom. Kneecap deny support for those organizations and announced plans to sue the official for "wholly untrue and deeply malicious" comments. The band reaffirmed support for the Palestinian cause, pledged legal defense funds to Gaza child amputees if successful, blamed pro-Israel lobby groups for misinformation, and noted prior cancellations and an October livestream for North America.
Read at Pitchfork
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