The British state has suffered a humiliating defeat. Irish rapper, Mo Chara (real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) of Belfast hip-hop group Kneecap, faced terrorism charges for allegedly holding a Hezbollah flag at a London gig and shouting slogans supporting Hamas and Hezbollah. The case was politically motivated and absurd.
On 26 September, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring dismissed the charges. The Crown Prosecution Service and Attorney General failed to secure the required consents within the six-month legal limit.
In its haste to prosecute, the state’s own procedures were bungled.
Socialist Party members joined the large crowd outside Woolwich Crown Court supporting Mo Chara, despite police attempts to restrict access. Kneecap’s high-profile solidarity with oppressed Palestinians touches a chord with many young people. Outside the court, Mo Chara addressed supporters:
“This process was never about me… It was always about Gaza. As people from Ireland, we know oppression, colonialism, famine, and genocide. That’s why we stand in solidarity with Palestine. If anyone on this planet is guilty of terrorism, it is the British state.”
Some in government may breathe a sigh of relief – had he been convicted, Mo Chara would have become a global cause célèbre for Palestinian solidarity.
The victory is a celebration, but also a warning. Criminalising political expression and solidarity remain threats. The struggle to defend democratic rights – to protest, speak out, and show solidarity – must continue. This includes the ongoing fight against the criminalisation of Palestine Action.
Niall Mulholland
