Kneecap Banned From Canada Amid Terror Allegations
The Irish hip hop trio Kneecap has found itself at the center of major controversy after being officially banned from entering Canada. The Canadian government announced that the group was deemed ineligible to perform there, accusing them of “glorifying terrorist organisations” and promoting political violence. Kneecap, who were scheduled to play four shows in Toronto and Vancouver next month, have responded with outrage, calling the claims “wholly untrue and deeply malicious.”
For those unfamiliar, Kneecap is a Belfast-based rap group made up of Naoise Ó Cairealláin, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh. They’ve built a reputation for provocative lyrics, politically charged messages, and a strong pro-Palestinian stance. Their shows often blend music with raw political commentary, which has gained them both loyal fans and sharp critics.
Also Read:This latest ban was confirmed by Vince Gasparro, Canada’s parliamentary secretary for combatting crime, who released a video statement on social media. He said that the group’s past remarks and actions crossed a line. According to Gasparro, Kneecap had amplified political violence and expressed support for groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. He stressed that while Canada protects criticism of foreign governments under its Charter of Rights and Freedoms, open endorsements of violence or terrorist groups are not considered protected speech.
The band, however, quickly pushed back. They posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) directed at Gasparro, insisting that no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country. They also announced they are taking legal action, vowing to challenge what they view as defamatory and politically motivated allegations. Kneecap went further, promising that if they win in court, every cent of damages awarded would be donated to help child amputees in Gaza.
This clash comes on the heels of several other controversies surrounding the group this year. Earlier in April, footage surfaced that appeared to show a band member shouting “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah” during a performance. In June, their Glastonbury set was investigated by police after criticism, though no further action was taken. More recently, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged in the UK with allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a gig—a charge he denies, claiming the flag was simply thrown onto the stage. That case is still ongoing and will return to court later this month.
For fans in Canada, this is a disappointing turn. Kneecap said they had already provided Canadian immigration officials with requested information and had expected no issues, especially since they had performed in the country before without trouble. They now believe that when officials found no legal grounds to block them, the government chose instead to make political accusations.
In their message to Canadian supporters, Kneecap expressed regret for canceling the shows but vowed not to be silenced. Their statement framed the ban as part of a broader attempt to suppress their outspoken criticism of Israel and its actions in Gaza. Whether their legal challenge succeeds remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—the trio is not backing down from this fight.
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