'Over the top' police precautions as protestors gather to support Kneecap's Liam Óg 

Hundreds gathered to support Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara with rap trio Kneecap, as he entered Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on terrorism charges. Picture: Jordan Peck/Getty

A feeling that British authorities are policing pro-Palestine protests more strictly than others had been fomenting amongst some Irish in London before Wednesday's protest in support of Kneecap.

Hundreds gathered to support Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara with rap trio Kneecap, as he entered Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on terrorism charges.

Prosecutors allege the 27-year-old displayed a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig in London. His case was adjourned until September 26.

The Metropolitan Police imposed restrictions on where the demonstration outside the court could take place to “prevent serious disruption”.

Kneecap criticised the police restrictions as a “calculated political decision” that was “designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome”.

Filmmaker Sonya O’Donoghue, originally from Clare but living in London, said restrictions on Kneecap’s supporters seemed particularly restrictive.

The police had cordoned off an area for people supporting Kneecap to protest today at his court appearance. And it felt a bit over the top, as if it was going to be very aggressive.

“But from what I’ve seen there was a lot of singing, it was very pro-Palestinian freedom, there were a lot of Irish flags, but I haven’t seen aggression."

Ms O’Donoghue commended the bravery of people such as Kneecap in speaking out against the war in Gaza.

“They’re articulate young men and they have a lot to lose by speaking out. They’ve had gigs cancelled, they’re being targeted, but they’re putting their neck out.” 

Ms O’Donoghue attends the monthly protests in London for Palestine.

The British government's proscribing of protest group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation in June, with the same status as ISIS or al-Quaeda, has shocked not just regular protestors, but many across Britain, she said.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper made the announcement after Palestine Action activists broke into a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire, spraying planes with red paint and damaging them with crowbars, allegedly causing some £7m in damage.

Hundreds of people have been arrested since for showing support for the group.

Author Sally Rooney has recently pledged to support Palestine Action. The Mayo-born author of novels including Normal People wrote in the Irish Times that she now intends to use proceeds from her work to support Palestine Action.

One of the 532 people arrested at a Palestine rally in London this month was arrested for wearing a t-shirt saying ‘Plasticine Action’ with a similar logo to the ‘Palestine Action’ group’s.

Engineer Miles Pickering told The Guardian that it was designed to be an easy mistake to make, appearing to look like the logo of Palestine Action.

But text underneath the logo reads: “We oppose AI-generated animation". Inside the letter “o” was an image of the stop-motion character Morph giving two thumbs up. Sales of the t-shirt have rocketed since. Mr Pickering added:

It’s like we are just going to mock you for your ridiculous decision to proscribe a protest group. It’s just so important that our rights to protest do not get diminished.

The mass arrests at the August protest in London has prompted a sea change in public opinion across Britain, Ms O'Donoghue said.

“That was incredibly over-the-top. So many people arrested for peaceful protest. I think the mass arrests have touched everybody.

“There’s a feeling that police are being extra-tough on any pro-Palestinian protests here. It feels very

autocratic."

Carla McGlynn, an Irish actor living in London, said that she would have been at today’s protest in support of Mo Chara but she is currently home in Ireland.

UK authorities have been “really restrictive” in where people can protest for Palestine, Ms McGlynn said.

“Police really monitor any groups with signs or wearing Keffiyehs [Palestinian scarves].

“I know someone whose friend was arrested. She was kept overnight but was then released without charge.

“All of this is making people more determined to have their voices heard, more determined not to be silenced.”