Rock band James’ frontman, Tim Booth, expressed his dismay over the unauthorized use of one of their songs at a Tommy Robinson protest rally in London. The rally, organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, drew over 100,000 participants in central London, where James’ song “Sit Down” was played. Upon discovering this, Tim Booth took to social media to denounce the use of their song, stating that no permission was given for its use in that context. He emphasized that the band’s music and lyrics clearly convey a message contrary to the organization’s beliefs.
Tim Booth, known for sharing his views online, had previously criticized musician Morrissey in 2018, calling him out for his apparent support of Tommy Robinson. Despite their past friendship, Tim remarked on Morrissey’s change in behavior, referring to him as disrespectful. Elon Musk made a surprise appearance at the protest via videolink, sharing controversial statements about the state of affairs in the UK.
In response to the rally, Weyman Bennett from Stand Up to Racism dismissed the participants as far-right extremists seeking violence rather than genuine working-class concerns. He called for increased opposition to combat the rising threat posed by far-right elements in society.