Labour MP Calls for Festival Speaker Ban on Hasan Piker

Labour MP David Taylor called for the Home Office to block Hasan Piker from entering the UK, arguing that his presence at the upcoming SXSW London festival would be "not conducive to the public good." Piker, a prominent online personality and left-wing commentator with over three million followers on Twitch, is slated to participate in a panel titled "How the American Left Learned to Speak the Internet."

Taylor's demand stems from Piker's history of controversial statements, including a 2019 remark where he implied “America deserved 9/11,” which he later acknowledged as inappropriate. More recently, during an episode of Pod Save America, he stated that Hamas was "1,000 times better" than Israel and claimed he would "vote for Hamas over Israel every single time." Piker has described himself as "anti-Israel" rather than antisemitic.

Taylor condemned SXSW for inviting someone he believes has openly supported a proscribed terrorist organization, adding that Piker's rhetoric is concerning, particularly given the rise of antisemitism in the UK. He emphasized that “British Jews [are] in a constant state of anxiety,” calling for immediate action from the Home Office.

In response, community groups such as CST (Community Security Trust) echoed the sentiments, urging event organizers to consider the implications of hosting speakers like Piker, who they claim promote antisemitic themes and support extremist views.

Despite the pushback, a spokesperson for the festival reiterated that SXSW aims to bring together diverse voices for open dialogue, clarifying that inclusion in the program does not equate to an endorsement of all speakers' views.

The growing calls to ban Piker come in light of recent actions taken by the UK government against individuals deemed harmful or extremist, highlighting the ongoing debate around free speech, ethics in event programming, and the implications of contemporary political discourse. Other scheduled speakers at SXSW include notable figures like Chelsea Clinton and relationship therapist Esther Perel.