Irish rap group Kneecap has pledged to pursue legal action in response to a Canadian MP’s statements after the group was barred from entering Canada.
The Irish rap trio Kneecap is taking legal action against a Canadian Member of Parliament after they were banned from Canada for allegedly holding anti-Israel views, the group announced.
This case joins a growing list of instances where Western governments have restricted musicians due to their pro-Palestinian views. Over the past year, several artists have been denied entry to countries or had performances canceled because of their political opinions.
Canadian MP Vince Gasparro stated in a video posted on X that “Our government will not tolerate the advocating of political violence, terrorism or anti-Semitism and hate more broadly,” confirming the group’s entry prohibition.
Kneecap, which had planned four performances in Toronto and Vancouver in October, refuted the accusations and stated that their legal team would be initiating legal proceedings concerning the X post.
In an Instagram statement, the band described Gasparro’s claims as “wholly untrue and deeply malicious,” asserting that no band member has “been convicted of any crime in any country ever.”
Kneecap stated, “When we beat you in court, which we will,” Kneecap wrote, “we will donate every cent to assist some of the thousands of child amputees in Gaza.”
Kneecap has previously stated they do not support Hamas or Hezbollah. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, a member of the group, is currently facing charges in the UK for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a rally in 2024. He denies the charges, and the case is adjourned until September 26.
This is not the first time artists have experienced institutional pressure due to their pro-Palestine statements. In April, American singer Kehlani’s show at Cornell University was canceled due to her pro-Palestine views. In May, Irish post-punk group Murder Capital was dropped from venues in Germany after displaying a Palestinian flag on stage. In July, the US revoked the visas of members of English punk rap duo Bob Vylan following pro-Gaza remarks at Glastonbury Music Festival in the UK.