Kneecap, a Belfast rap trio, has been authorized by the High Court to challenge the UK government after its Arts Council funding application was withdrawn in February. They will appear in front of a trial judge on November 14, 2024 to appeal the decision. The group revealed the news via Instagram, stating: “We’ve been granted permission to challenge the Secretary of States decision”.
The challenge comes after Kneecap claimed that their funding was withdrawn due to their political views, as well as previous criticism of the UK government. The group noted that they have “been informed that the government felt that our music was intentionally politically divisive and the language we use could incite violence.” The trio has been known for using their music to express their views on important events in Northern Ireland.
According to the Chair of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, John Edmund, “an application for funding made by Kneecap to National Lottery Project Funding was unsuccessful because it failed to meet the programme criteria of the Exchequer-funded National Lottery Project Funding.” However, Kneecap maintains that the decision was politically motivated.
The case is set to be a landmark one for Northern Irish musicians. Kneecap’s story has received support from the Irish music industry, as well as international media. Speaking to the Irish Times, the group stated that “we’re fed up with political and economic censorship in the north,” and pledged to continue using their music to highlight important issues
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