Boycott of US festival over Gaza a ‘no brainer’ for hip hop band Kneecap

It is a “no brainer” for Kneecap to boycott a US festival over Gaza, a member of the Belfast hip hop trio has said. Irish artists including Soda Blonde and Mick Flannery have withdrawn from South by Southwest (SXSW) over opposition to the US Army being a sponsor, citing US support for Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip. An Enterprise Ireland-led delegation is taking part in the arts festival, which is being held in Austin, Texas, this week. Culture Minister Catherine Martin has said she will still be attending the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas (Brian Lawless/PA) Culture Minister Catherine Martin has said she will still go, despite the boycott by Irish artists. Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said it is “deeply disturbing” that the minister plans to attend the festival, while People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said it is “nothing short of shameful”. Ms Martin has said she respects musicians’ freedom of expression and will use the visit “to make clear her revulsion at the devastation that has been unleashed on Gaza”. Kneecap member Mo Chara said the band’s decision to boycott the event was made after it emerged the US Army is a “super” sponsor and...