Today, Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (aka Mo Chara) was released on unconditional bail after appearing at Westminster Court for a scheduled hearing. The Irish rapper faced criminal charges under the Terrorism Act after an alleged video of the band flying a Hezbollah flag at one of their concerts in 2023 resurfaced. He is now due for another court appearance on August 20, the BBC reports.

It's considered a crime to show vocal support for Hezbollah, who the UK Government recognizes as a terrorist organization, according to the Terrorism Act. In resurfaced clips, Mo Chara allegedly lead chants that said, "Up Hamas! Up Hezbollah!" during a Kentish town gig.

The band has denied all accusations of "defending terrorism," claiming instead that the government has weaponized the band's unrelenting support for the freedom of Palestine and the end to Israeli occupation and genocide.

All three members walked into court today, attending a rally in front of a massive crowd of supporters. Supporters waved Palestinian, Irish, and Kneecap-related flags, while participating in Irish folk songs and chants to "free Mo Chara" and "free Palestine," per NME.

The band had also placed several billboards in front of the court that said "More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara" — a reference to discriminatory racist, anti-Irish signs often found in British establishments in the 1950s and 60s.

"We've plastered London with a few messages ahead of this witch-hunt," the band wrote on social media yesterday. "British courts have long charged people from the North of Ireland with terrorism' for crimes never committed."

The trio, all wearing keffiyehs, stood together in support of Mo Chara and the freedom of Palestine. "For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there," said Naoise Ó Cairealláin, who goes by Móglaí Bap. "If you can't be there, we'll be on the BBC if anybody watches the BBC. We'll be at Wembley in September... But most importantly, free free Palestine!"

During the trial, Mo Chara only spoke once, giving his name, date of birth, and his Belfast address. After Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring released him on unconditional bail, the court ordered that Óg Ó hAnnaidh must appear in person again on August 20, per Billboard. The bilingual rapper also requested that the court provides an Irish translator during the hearing, according to NME.

Outside, a Kneecap spokesperson delivered a speech, criticizing the British government for its “rushed prosecution following their Coachella performance, where Kneecap did not shy away from speaking their truth to power,” as printed in the NME report. They continued:

“The reality is that Kneecap will stand up against political oppression, to defend their rights and the rights of artists and people all around the world. It is not new for Irish people to be prosecuted under special powers for terrorism acts.”

Despite calls for boycotts over their festival appearances, Kneecap are still scheduled to perform at the massive Glastonbury festival next week. Several British and Irish artists — Massive Attack, Fontaines DC, IDLES, Pulp, Paul Weller, and now Johnny Marr — have issued public statements in support of the band's freedom of expression. "Oppression fears artistic expression," wrote Marr on Instagram on June 16. "I respect all musicians who use their platform to speak out against injustice, who promote compassion and equality and give voice to the voiceless."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Johnny Marr (@johnnymarrgram)