Singapore is banning Massive Attack from entering the country. Robert "3D" Del Naja (61) and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall (66), the two founding members of the British trip-hop project, are no longer allowed to enter the city-state. The Singapore Police Force and the media regulatory authority IMDA announced this in a joint statement on Saturday, as reported by "Variety" among others. The trigger was a Palestinian flag that the two musicians displayed on stage during their concert at the Star Theatre on July 29.
Both were investigated for "their actions in support of a political cause and the unfurling of a foreign flag". After completing the investigation and consulting with the Attorney General's Chambers, the police issued "stern warnings". In Singapore, the public display of foreign flags, emblems, and banners without permission is generally prohibited.
The organizer had confirmed the requirements for the evening in advance, the statement says. Nevertheless, both musicians held up a "foreign flag", and one of them shouted "Free Palestine". The IMDA is now examining a possible violation of several license conditions, including those that prohibit artists from displaying flags for any cause. Future performance applications by the band will not be approved anyway given the entry ban. The concert was the only Singapore date on the current tour, and videos of the scene quickly went viral online.
Hotel Rooms Searched, Passports Confiscated
The band itself spoke out on Instagram on Sunday and described the hours after the concert from their perspective. "Following our performance at the Star Theatre in Singapore on July 29th, we were surprised and disappointed that our entire band was detained by police, isolated and questioned separately. Some members had their hotel rooms searched and passports temporarily confiscated", they wrote.
The chants did not originate from the stage, the group emphasizes: "Before we took the stage, and again at the end of the show, large sections of the venue spontaneously chanted 'Free Palestine.' Apparently aware, but undeterred, that this spontaneous expression alone might violate their government's censorship laws." And further: "We could not have imagined that simply holding up the flag of a sovereign state recognized by 157 countries could violate any law."
Criticism of the Situation in the UK as Well
In retrospect, they are "proud" to have experienced this spontaneous moment together with the fans in Singapore. They had "clearly felt a moral obligation to stand in solidarity with the people in Palestine", the band wrote, paying respect to their courage. Worldwide, "the continued inaction of the 'international community' is driving citizens to take personal risks".
The "surreal experience" is a "reminder of how important it is to defend universal human rights and freedom of speech wherever these rights are threatened". The group sees these rights under pressure in their own country as well: "At home in the UK, peaceful protesters are being arrested under terror laws for holding handwritten signs against genocide, despite appeals from across the political spectrum."
Del Naja Had Already Been Arrested in London
The issue is not new for Massive Attack. The group is among the most vocal supporters of Palestinian causes in the music business. Del Naja was one of around 500 people arrested at a demonstration in London in April protesting the ban on the group Palestine Action. The organization is classified as a proscribed organization in the UK.
