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Barclays Suspends Funding of Live Nation U.K. Festivals After Protests Over Links to Defense Firms

Barclays has suspended its Live Nation U.K. festivals funding after protests over its links to defense companies supplying arms to Israel and more.

Referencing recent outbreaks of vandalism at a number of U.K. Barclays bank branches, where protestors threw paint and smashed windows, the spokesperson said the “only thing that this small group of activists will achieve is to weaken essential support for cultural events enjoyed by millions. “As musicians, we were horrified that our music festivals were partnered with Barclays, who are complicit in the genocide in Gaza through investment, loans and underwriting of arms companies supplying the Israeli military,” posted the campaign group on Instagram. Posting on X, Rage Against The Machine ’s Tom Morello, who is due to play Download this weekend, said that “the fact that the festival has listened to its musicians and cut ties with Barclays Bank is a testament to the power of artists taking collective action for human rights.”

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