Belfast hip-hop trio Kneecap have criticised the anti-immigration unrest in the city in recent days – comparing it to the persecution Irish people suffered in Britain.
Anti-immigration rioters took to the street of Northern Ireland earlier this week – with demonstrators throwing petrol bombs and missiles at police.
Around a dozen people wearing balaclavas and masks threw petrol bombs at PSNI vehicles as riot officers formed lines.
Rioters also burned a cafe, a supermarket and several cars in the city with around 800 people involved.
Speaking to Newstalk at the Irish premiere of their award-winning new film last night, Kneecap criticised the rioters.
Bandmember DJ Próvaí said people should remember our recent history when it comes to oppression.
"It's not representative of who we are as a community; people coming out and f**king harassing people from other countries," he said.
"People have short memories - it's not too long ago that we were on the receiving end of it in England and other countries.
"So for people to come here for refuge and to be treated like that it's shameful.
"People need to look at themselves".
Kneecap arrive at the Dublin premiere of their film at the Light House Cinema, 7-8-24. Image: Andres PovedaBandmember Mo Chara said immigrants are contributing to society.
"Not even just coming for refuge - people just moving here for a better life in general," he said.
"These people have f**king shops, they're contributing to society," he added.
The trios hotly anticipated new film Kneecap hits cinema screens today.
The comedy-drama, which tells the story of the trio, is the first Irish-language movie to win an award at the Sundance Film Festival.
Co-starring Michael Fassbender, it has also recently been chosen as IFTA's submission for the Academy Awards.
