Irish author Sally Rooney has announced that she cannot safely travel to the United Kingdom to attend the Sky Arts Awards ceremony, where she was to receive an award for her novel Intermezzo. The reason is her support for Palestine Action, a group recently banned under the UK’s Terrorism Act, which could put her at risk of arrest.
Her editor accepted the award on her behalf and read a statement from Rooney expressing gratitude while reaffirming her commitment to non-violent anti-war activism. Rooney has pledged to donate proceeds from her books and BBC adaptations to support Palestine Action, a decision that has raised legal concerns under UK law, as supporting a proscribed organization is considered an offense.
In her statement, Rooney emphasized her belief in the dignity and worth of all human life and reiterated her solidarity with the people of Palestine. She criticized the UK government’s proscription of Palestine Action as disproportionate and warned about the broader implications for artistic and cultural expression.
This situation underscores the tension between freedom of expression and national security concerns, highlighting the potential consequences faced by artists and activists who take political stances that intersect with legally restricted organizations.