Why are Kneecap not in prison?

[BlossomBlanket]

But Lucy Connelly is? Kneecap told people to kill their MPs. Why have they not been arrested.

(To be very clear, I do not condone violence of any kind towards anyone, I'm just asking as this seems like a double standard, can someone explain?)

'They have said stupid things that cannot be condoned and apologised for them, but the reason there is a call to cancel them is because they attracted the attention of powerful people who intend to quash criticism of Israel. That’s why their concerts are being cancelled'

No. Their concert are being cancelled because they have incited violence by saying kill your MP and have glorified terrorism. Yes, they have now been silenced and have backtracked massively so we can only see if going forward they have learnt their lesson.

It’s also a very important message to other bands / artists .
Criticism of Israel’s government CANNOT include the promotion of terrorism.

'I find it really troubling that Kneecap are linking the love of Ireland and Irish culture to terrorism through their choice of name etc.'

Yes it is absolutely staggering that pp are gushing over their love of everything irish yet don't seem to have a problem with their awful, very goady name. What next, have group of crap rappers called the rapists or the molesters perhaps? Afterall they'd just be daft lads trying very hard to be some kind of political commentators.

There are numerous bands with names / songs that will offend people, Dead Kennedy, Sex Pistols, F* the Police., a quick google will throw up far more offensive names. They have given an explanation for their name previous to this furore as a play on an Irish word ní ceap , don’t think which sounds like kneecap in English. Unsophisticated and confronting.

However, what is extremely unsettling is not the reaction and commentary on what they have said, but the high level political attempt, supported by right wing media, to cancel them and push them underground and stop them, as artists, not politicians, representing or communicating with what is a very large fan base .
Also people aren’t ‘gushing over the love of everything Irish’ (guessing that would include leprechauns and Guinness). But it is amazing to see artists singing in Irish to masses of young people and being loved for it. This is a language struggling to find a place in peoples day to day lives and they have found a way in. I’m not a fan of the music particularly but love the scenes of thousands of people shouting back lyrics in Irish. It is important.

Again, why can't they sing in Irish without professing support for terrorism, violence and murder? I don't understand why the two need to go hand in hand. They should absolutely be deplatformed, and moreover, face jail time.

So they have apologised, said it was taken out of context , said they do not support hamas / hezbolah and do not promote violence. If that is not enough I’d be interested to know at this stage who would decide to ‘deplatform’ them? And how that would happen? The 100 plus artists who have come out in support of them might wonder the same thing. Their streams have doubled since Coachella and that’s not because of inciting violence, it’s closer to their call to stop the genocide in Palestine, stop murdering aid workers and toddlers.

“But it is amazing to see artists singing in Irish to masses of young people and being loved for it. This is a language struggling to find a place in peoples day to day lives and they have found a way in. I’m not a fan of the music particularly but love the scenes of thousands of people shouting back lyrics in Irish. It is important.”
Genuinely love the fact that the Irish Language is seeing a resurgence. I am appalled that Kneecap are linking a rich and ancient language with terrorism.
The Irish language is a fantastic conduit for creativity and storytelling and playfulness with language. However there is definitely a strong political element to the promotion of Irish annd anlways has been ever since Irish was suppressed and banned by the English government. I don’t object to Irish being used as a political tool that as long as it doesn’t promote violence or terrorism.

“streams have doubled since Coachella and that’s not because of inciting violence, it’s closer to their call to stop the genocide in Palestine, stop murdering aid workers and toddlers.”

Is that the festival where they called for “Death to Israel”?

Edited - it was “Fuck Israel “ I think … ? Apologies

So they have apologised, said it was taken out of context , said they do not support hamas / hezbolah and do not promote violence.

In what context would “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP” not mean what it says and how is it not promoting violence?

Like seriously @Wonderberry!
‘As can be seen here’

Could you ever stop it with the accusations please?
Totally SICK of it.

They aren't accusations, it is facts. If you want to condemn terrorists and those who support them than feel free too.

I'm sick of terrorist supporters. They have no place in our society. Terrorists are vile, as are their supporters.

I have already condemned terrorism on this thread. In fact this is about the third time I have done so.
I should not have to keep doing that while having a discussion. You are making ignorant assumptions.
Anyone who disagrees with you about whether Kneecap should be in prison is labelled a terrorist sympathiser.
It is NOT true.

Do you know what? If you don’t like it then don’t listen to them. It really is that simple. No need for jail time or cancel culture of any of that shit.
Can you prove unequivocally that what they have said has caused direct harm to anyone? Or do you strongly believe that any time anyone says anything you find offensive they should be made to disappear?

If it were that simple then supporting terrorism would not be a crime in this country. It's illegal, pure and simple. The law should apply equally to all.

I strongly believe that terrorist supporters, supporting proscribed terrorist organisations, should be banned and deplatformed. Why are you such a vocal supporter?

@WhereIsMyJumper I suggest you educate yourself about how radicalisation works, then take time to reflect on your comments support these terrorist supporters.

I’m not in favour of cancelling things normally but I draw the line when people says things like “kill your MP” and “up Hamas” .

We have laws on supporting terrorism in the U.K. they’re not ‘kids’ as a few pp stated, they’re adults subject to the same laws as anyone.

Thank you Ophelia and Eastern. I'm all for free speech, as long as that doesn't involve incitement to murder or support for terrorist organisations. I'm surprised at the number of people who feel differently!

I’m amazed at the mental leap it takes to go from “they shouldn’t have said it but I don’t think they should be jailed for it” to “OMG! TERRORIST SYMPATHISER!!!”

And meanwhile US, (primarily) Germany and UK continue to supply arms to Israel allowing them to maim, terrorise, and murder Palestinian kids and violate international humanitarian laws.

This is relevant how? We are talking about not radicalising young people. You are showing an example of 'whatabouterry' at its finest.

Do you support the radicalisation of young people? Do you unequivocally condemn terrorist organisations?

People become radicalised because they are isolated, unloved, have low self esteem. Because they are poor or uneducated. I’m not sure why you keep mentioning whataboutery or what it refers to.

Vulnerable (as you have described) young people become radicalised when they are exposed to extreme views. This is why Kneecap is so dangerous. Please research and reflect on this.

Whatabouterry is ignoring the issue at hand (jailing terrorist supporters) and bringing up other irrelevant items. You are adding your own biased, and inaccurate, spin and well.