A music festival in Portsmouth has apologized after a band’s microphones were turned off during its performance. The Irish folk group, The Mary Wallopers, displayed the Palestinian flag on stage, prompting organizers to remove it due to “wider event management and safety reasons.” However, the move was met with criticism from fans and fellow performers who felt it was an overreaction.
The festival initially supported artists’ right to express their views but later acknowledged that its explanation of its policies could have been handled more sensitively. The festival accepted that its actions may have prevented some audience members from hearing comments made after the band’s microphones were turned off.
In a gesture of goodwill, the festival announced it would make a substantial donation to humanitarian relief efforts for the Palestinian people. This decision was welcomed by fans who expressed disappointment with the initial response.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn02pn2znkgo