Kneecap member Liam O’Hanna was greeted by hundreds of activists this morning as he arrived in court to face charges of supporting a proscribed group.
O’Hanna, 27, who performs with Irish rap group Kneecap under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a Kneecap gig in November last year. He is yet to submit a plea to the charge.
When O’Hanna arrived at Westminster Magistrates' court on Wednesday morning, he was surrounded by fans holding signs that read “free Mo Chara,” while others waved Palestinian and Irish flags.
His bandmates and manager also accompanied him.
Supporters of Kneecap outside Westminster Magistrates' Courts in London (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images
Loud speakers and musical performances occurred throughout the morning, as protesters chanted “free Palestine”. Anti-Israel activists expected to attend the protest included Palestinian doctor and Glasgow University rector, Ghassan Abu-Sitta, and Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) leader Ben Jamal.
One homemade sign in the crowd depicted Benjamin Netanyahu and the words “f*** you Netanyahu”. Another read: “you dare to call me a terrorist, while you look down your gun,” while others held posters calling for free speech, and several supported a banner calling the Prime Minister a “wasteman”. Another poster stated: “More blacks, more dogs, more Irish, Mo Chara”.
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O’Hanna has been on unconditional bail since his first court appearance in June.
He is represented by Gareth Peirce, who defended Julian Assange against extradition to the US, Brenda Campbell KC, who represented families after the Hillsborough disaster, and Darragh Mackin, who previously represented Kneecap in a case against Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch.
Michael Bisgrove represented the Prosecution.
At the previous court date, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring decided the timeline will be argued at a later date, which was set for today.
The hearing continues today.
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