Kneecap invokes anti-fascist slogan in opposition to Orangemen walking down Garvaghy Road
The republican rap trio Kneecap have offered their support to the opponents of the Garvaghy Road Orange march.
In doing so, they have invoked a famous anti-fascist slogan from the 1930s – “no pasaran”.
It means loosely “they shall not pass”, and was a rallying cry of the Spanish loyalist side in the civil war against Franco’s fascists.
The full post, accompanied by a picture of the assembled crowd, reads: “We stand with the people of the Garvahy Road [sic].
"After 28 years of peace this change isn't about rights, but pushing conflict and supremacy.
"¡No pasarán!”
During the dispute at the weekend, some of the protestors had carried a banner reading: “From Gaza to Garvaghy Road, resist occupation and fascism”.
Among those taking part in the protest was a widely-photographed man clad in a Kneecap-style balaclava: the green, white, and orange variety worn by member DJ Provai, and sold by the band as merchandise.
Other posts from the standoff have included footage, posted by people unconnected to the group (including Sinn Fein councillor JJ Magee), showing Kneecap’s hit “HOOD” being played out on the Garvaghy Road.
The song’s promotional material features a policeman tied to a chair; its lyrics make reference to “the RUC” and include: “Do ya want it in your chest? Or your knees or your head? DJ Provai has the lead / You can beg, you can plead, you can tell us what we need / You can change your name / But you're all the f****n' same.”
Kneecap has denied that its members would ever incite violence.