An Irish folk band, The Mary Wallopers, were cut off during a performance at a music festival in Portsmouth, England on Friday, sparking controversy over display of a Palestinian flag.
The band claimed they had been unfairly silenced after their six-year-long tradition of displaying the flag during sets was disrupted by event management. However, the organizers disputed this account, stating that the decision to cut off the sound was made due to a chant that has a discriminatory context.
A video posted by the band on Instagram appears to show the band’s banjo player using a chant with anti-Israel sentiment before the Palestinian flag was removed from one of the speakers.
The crowd reacted angrily to this incident, with some chanting “Free Palestine” and others supporting the festival organizers’ decision. However, audience members claim that they did not hear anything discriminatory during the performance.
This incident is part of a growing controversy surrounding pro-Palestinian activism and free speech in the UK, where musicians often face backlash for their views on sensitive issues.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/23/uk/mary-wallopers-palestinian-flag-festival-latam-intl