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Kneecap
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‘We Are Serving Legal Action Against You’: Kneecap Suing Canadian Politician Vince Gasparro
In a statement shared to social media, the Irish group shared that they will be “relentless in defending ourselves against outrageous and baseless accusations.”
28 November
Kneecap say they are suing Canadian politician Vince Gasparro.
Today (Nov. 28), the Irish rap trio made the announcement in a social media post.
It comes two months after Gasparro, Liberal MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Combating Crime, posted a video to X, sharing that Kneecap had been banned from the country “on behalf of the Government of Canada” due to allegedly amplifying “political violence and publicly displayed support for terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas.”
Soon after the news broke, Kneecap rejected the claims, addressing Gasparro directly on Instagram, calling his remarks “wholly untrue and deeply malicious,” adding that they instructed their lawyer to initiate legal action against the Liberal MP.
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Days later, it came out that there was apparently no formal notice of the group’s Canadian ban. This week, the Prime Minister's Office and the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) shared with BBC News that they were “not involved” with banning the group, adding to the air of mystery behind the situation.
In today’s “wee message to Vince,” the trio shared that they indeed are following through on their promise to pursue legal action against Gasparro.
"In September we said you made comments about us that were wholly untrue and deeply malicious," they wrote. "It now transpires you also lied by telling the world you were acting on 'behalf of the Government of Canada.' This was another lie. You were not. Your own government has made this clear...Today we are serving legal action against you," wrote the group.
“As we said, we will be relentless in defending ourselves against outrageous and baseless accusations. When we beat you in court, which we will, we will donate every cent of your money to assist the thousands of child amputees in Gaza,” they said, doubling down on the promise they made back in September.
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In their statement, the trio noted that they are working to resolve the “compliance issues” that have been communicated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
“We look forward to visiting Canada again in 2026 and playing to sold out shows across your land as we have done so in the past,” Kneecap said.
Kneecap’s planned shows at Toronto’s History on Oct. 14 and 15 and Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre on Oct. 22 and 23 were cancelled shortly after Gasparro's statement.
Earlier this month, the IRCC confirmed to CBC News that only one member of the band — Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, who performs as Mo Chara — was banned from entering the country due to "inadmissibility for omitting to disclose complete and accurate information on his application." The applications of fellow members DJ Próvaí (James John O Dochartaigh) and Móglaí Bap (Naoise O Caireallain) were "under review," after the IRCC allegedly contacted them in September. The two bandmates "were informed not to travel to Canada until receiving further communication from IRCC."
The decision to ban Kneecap from entering Canada followed months of lobbying by organizations and politicians. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) had urged the federal government to deny visas to both Kneecap and the U.K. punk duo Bob Vylan, citing onstage incidents they say violated Canadian hate-speech laws and clashed with the country’s values.
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In July, members of a group called the Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem and city councillor James Pasternak called on major promoters Live Nation and MRG Group to cancel Kneecap’s Canadian shows, warning that performances would spread “demonization and bigotry.”
Globally, Kneecap has drawn attention for their on-stage political statements — some of which have led to similar consequences.
The group displayed a “F-- Israel, Free Palestine” message during their Coachella performance in April, a move that led to their U.S. booking agent cutting ties.
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In the U.K., Ó Hannaidh faced terrorism charges after allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a London concert last year. He was released on bail and set to return to court on Sept. 26, but the case was thrown out. This month, the group released a track, “No Comment,” responding to the dismissed case.
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