Political witch-hunt has no place in arts
Political witch-hunt has no place in arts - The Labour Party
Labour’s Culture Spokesperson Rob O’Donoghue TD has said the police investigation into Glastonbury performances by Irish rap group Kneecap and British band Bob Vylan marks a serious escalation. The artists are reportedly under criminal investigation by British police for public order incidents relating to statements made on stage over the weekend.
Deputy O’Donoghue said:
“Glastonbury is a world-renowned festival of music, art and political expression. The decision to launch a criminal investigation into two acts for comments made during their performances sets a chilling precedent.
“The response to Kneecap and Bob Vylan is not just overblown – it’s selective. How is it possible that Rod Stewart’s endorsement of Nigel Farage from the Pyramid Stage barely registered with the media? Why is it only pro-Palestinian voices that provoke an outcry? We are watching a targeted clampdown on one particular viewpoint.
“People are angry – and rightly so – about the horrific, live-streamed genocide unfolding in Gaza, and Britain’s complicity in Israel’s war crimes. Irish acts like Kneecap, CMAT and Sprints have stood firm in their support for the Palestinian people, despite the commercial risks. They deserve our solidarity, not silence.
“We cannot sleepwalk into a future where art is stripped of meaning for fear of offending power. The police response, coupled with selective media outrage, risks turning a proud tradition of cultural resistance into a target for censorship. That must not be allowed to happen.”