Kneecap Fans want to donate ticket refunds to Palestinian aid organizations
The Irish hip-hop group Kneecap recently had to cancel their US Tour. Fans are now stating online that they are going to donate their ticket refunds to aid organizations.
Recently Kneecap announced on their Instagram profile that they had to cancel all 15 sold out shows of their US tour „due to the proximity of our next court hearing in London“. One member of the group has been charged with a terror offence, after holding up a flag of the banned organization Hezbollah.
Their fans are responding with a lot of support. Also, many of them are declaring to donate their ticket refunds to pro-Palestinian organizations. Users commented: „Donating our ticket refund to Palestinian aid, we love you guys“ and „I´ll be donating my refunded amount to an organisation that supports Palestinians“ which received a lot of support by other fans online.
When asked why he wanted to donate his refund a fan said: „I don´t need the money back. I can do without it and forward it to a good cause.“ He states that he already donated money in the past to the nonprofit organisation Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. “I’m eager to join in where the rest of the fans donate, or to follow what Kneecap recommends.”
I don´t need the money back. I can do without it and forward it to a good cause.
A Kneecap fan on Instagram
„I want to donate my ticket refund because it feels like the right thing to do“, says a user named Tori. She also wants to send a message to authorities that restrict artists with her donation by showing that this „can’t stop their people from doing what’s right.“ She thinks about donating her refund to the Pal Humanity initiative, which declares that it „offers immediate relief and sustainable support to the people of Gaza“.
Political statements are a part of Kneecap
According to the BBC, the irish hip-hop group has faced several controversies over their pro-Palestinian stance which they promote at their concerts and social media. For their fans these political actions are a part of Kneecap’s identity.
„A lot of their US fans became fans because of their support for Palestine“, Tori says. „I really like that Kneecap is vocal about their political beliefs.“ The other fan also states that artists like Kneecap helped him to build his opinion on political topics. „I am thankful that there are bands that help us pay attention to where it is needed and make us reflect.“
Regarding the terrorism charges against the group member Mo Chara, both fans said that they found them hard to comprehend and exaggerated.
