Singapore has banned the two core members of the British band Massive Attack from reentering the country<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Singapore has banned the two core members of British band Massive Attack from reentering the country after they displayed a Palestinian flag and expressed support for the Palestinian cause during their concert in the city-state last week.<\/p>\n
Singapore police said in a recent statement that the two men were investigated over their actions during the July 29 concert, including the unfurling of a foreign flag and one member shouting \u201cFree Palestine\u201d on stage.<\/p>\n
They were issued stern warnings and blacklisted from returning to the city-state, it said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe police take a serious view of acts which could potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore and urge the public, including foreigners, to refrain from importing foreign politics as this can undermine our social cohesion and the rule of law,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
The police did not identify the men involved, but footage shared on local media showed it to be Robert \u201c3D\u201d Del Naja and Grant \u201cDaddy G\u201d Marshall.<\/p>\n
Massive Attack responded in a statement on Instagram, saying the band was \u201csurprised and disappointed\u201d by the decision.<\/p>\n
The group said large sections of the auditorium had chanted \u201cFree Palestine\u201d before the start of their show and at the end of it. The group said they didn't expect that merely holding up the flag would violate any law, but that they were proud to have made the \u201cimpromptu expression\u201d with their fans in Singapore to show solidarity for the Palestinian cause.<\/p>\n
They urged the Singapore government to allow their citizens \u201cthe expressions of conscience without fear of state persecution.\u201d<\/p>\n