"We Have the Freedom to Perform"... Indie Band Invades Disability Film Festival and Makes Remarks

Film Festival: "Hateful Remarks Against Disabled and Queer Communities"
Band: "Our Purpose Was Protest, No Illegal Acts Involved"

Controversy has arisen after an indie band forcefully entered and performed in the middle of the venue where the Disability Human Rights Film Festival was being held. On May 25, the organizers of the Seoul Disability Human Rights Film Festival announced their position regarding the unauthorized performance and human rights violations that occurred during the event through social media (SNS), and warned of a strong response. Previously, from May 23 to 25, the festival organizers had set up an outdoor stage in Marronnier Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and held various events including performances, film screenings, and an awards ceremony. The organizers had applied for and received permission from Jongno District Office to use the park until 9 p.m. in advance.

On the 25th, the organizers of the Seoul Disability Human Rights Film Festival announced their position regarding unauthorized performances and human rights violations that occurred during the event, through social media (SNS), and warned of a strong response. Seoul Disability Human Rights Film Festival SNS

Around 7:30 p.m. on May 24, while the event was in full swing, the indie band Greenwich began performing in the park. Although the festival organizers protested, Greenwich continued their performance regardless. They even put up a sign stating, "This performance is legal as an assembly or demonstration." According to video footage from the scene, one member of Greenwich made several remarks to protesting citizens, such as "Whenever I do anything, people call it hate," and "Doesn't it seem like the subway isn't coming?" The situation between the festival organizers and Greenwich was reportedly resolved only around 11 p.m., after police and district office officials arrived at the scene.

In response, the festival organizers issued a statement on May 25, saying, "Because of Greenwich's unauthorized performance, the sound from the stage?where film screenings, audience discussions, sign language interpretation, and captioning were taking place?was drowned out, and the event was seriously disrupted." They continued, "An even more serious problem was the mockery and hateful remarks that occurred at the scene," adding, "When the organizers requested, 'Please do not come tomorrow,' Greenwich responded mockingly, 'We don't know about that either.' This is not simply a conflict, but an act of insult and human rights violation against a social minority." The organizers further stated, "We deeply regret Greenwich's actions. We strongly demand an official apology and a promise to prevent recurrence, both to the festival, the audience, and those who were insulted on site that day. We expect Greenwich to take responsible action."

As the controversy spread, Greenwich Band stated, "We only asked the film festival about the end time and tried to schedule our performance so that it would not overlap with the event, with no intention to disrupt," but also added, "We did proceed with the performance partly to protest against the film festival." Greenwich Instagram

As the controversy spread, Greenwich stated, "We only asked the film festival about the end time and tried to schedule our performance so that it would not overlap with the event, with no intention to disrupt," but also added, "We did proceed with the performance partly to protest against the film festival." Regarding their remarks at the time, they said, "We do not consider them to be hate speech." As for performing without permission, they responded, "Cultural and artistic performances can be held without prior notification, so there was nothing illegal about it." An official from the Jongno District Office said, "It is true that the band performed without permission, but the district office does not have the authority to forcibly stop the performance." The official added, "We will consider all possible administrative measures against organizations that hold events without permission and take appropriate action."