Massive Attack’s Singapore ban tests legal limits of artistic freedom
The banning of British band Massive Attack from Singapore for pro-Palestine acts during their concert has split opinion in the city state, with some lamenting what they see as laws that are too strict and others urging foreigners to comply with local rules. At their gig on Wednesday, the two-man band held up a Palestinian flag and shouted “Free Palestine” along with members of the audience. Under…
Massive Attack, a British band, faced legal consequences for displaying pro-Palestine sentiments during their concert in Singapore. The two-man band, Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall, held up a Palestinian flag and chanted "Free Palestine" along with the audience. Under Singapore's Foreign National Emblems (Control of Display) Act and Public Order Act, it is illegal to display non-Singaporean flags and hold protests without a permit.
Police and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) investigated the band members for supporting a political cause and unfurling a foreign flag, warning them and banning them from re-entering the country. The IMDA also announced it would not grant future performance applications for the band in Singapore. The band expressed surprise and disappointment, stating that their spontaneous expression aligned with the audience's sentiments.
Concert attendees criticized the ban, arguing that the atmosphere remained orderly and the flag waving was a response to the audience's chants. Some concerns were raised about the potential impact on artistic freedom in Singapore, with critics questioning whether the authorities were overreacting to what they perceived as a breach of local laws.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- UK band Massive Attack banned from Singapore over Palestinian flag at concert thenationalnews.com
