Mural launched in West Belfast in Support of Kneecap’s Mo Chara

Hundreds of local people came out to support and stand with Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh

August 21, 2025

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Hundreds of people gathered on Tuesday night (19th August) for a mural launch in the Ballymurphy area of West Belfast. Organised by Irish language activists in Belfast, the mural declares solidarity with local Kneecap Rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh ahead of his court case in London on Wednesday (20th August).

The mural launch was addressed by Palestinian born activist Mustafa Alsaidi, whose father and brother were recently murdered in the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza. The crowd also heard passionate speeches from representatives of the Mothers Against Genocide solidarity campaign, young Irish speakers from Glór na Móna, poetry readings and music.

Speaking at the mural launch, Glór na Móna youth leader, Emma Ní Mhuireagáin, stated:

‘I’m happy to be here tonight at the launch of this mural, a mural which publicly displays solidarity Liam Óg and with the Palestinian people who are suffering an ongoing genocide and mass starvation as we gather here tonight.

As a youth worker from Glór na Móna, this isn’t just another event to me. Liam Óg is my friend. We grew up together attended the same schools together down the street in Bunscoil an tSleibhe Dhuibh and later Colaiste Feirste. We ran about in these streets together, and when we were 15 years old we started our journey as youth leader together in Glór na Móna at the top of the rock. Liam Og’s love for language and community and providing positive and empowering social spaces to young people to use their language was evident even back then 12 years ago, long before Kneecap was formed.

“This mural is more than a print on a wall – it’s a statement of solidarity from our community. It is an act of resistance. It says we will not stand by silently as the Israeli forces commit a genocide against the Palestinian people. It says we will not stand by as the British State tries to criminalise a local west Belfast man and label him a terrorist. It says we will always defend our own, and that when one of us is under attack then all of us are under attack

Tomorrow Liam óg faces Westminster Courts in the heart of British Imperialism. But tonight, he’s welcomed by his community – a community of full of love, resilience solidarity and strength.

On behalf of Glor na Mona I want to thank everyone who came out tonight and everyone who helped make this mural possible. We are sending a clear message: we stand with Palestine, we stand with Liam Og and we stand together. Saoirse don Phailistín.

Mustafa Alsaidi concluded the event by stating:

“We want to thank Kneecap and the West Belfast community who have provided me with a loving welcome from the first time I came here. In honour of my late Father and Brother who were brutally murdered by the Israeli war machine, I have committed to continue to campaigning an talking about Palestine. I would like to ask you to continue to do the same. Everyone can play their role, and use their voice to keep speaking about Palestine.”