Van Morrison under fire over Covid anthems
A Belfast councillor has said t he l ocal authorit y should revoke Sir Van Morrison’s freedom of the city over his coronavirus intervention.
The musician was given the honour in 2013 in recognition of his career.
He has called for an end to measures which “enslave” people in a new song calling for pandemic restrictions to be lifted.
C i t y c o u n c i l l o r E mmet Mcdonough- B r own s a i d : “Van Morrison was given the freedom of Belfast, the highest honour the city can bestow.
“Hi s most r e c e n t l y r i c s undermine the guidance in place to protect lives and are ignorant of established science as we grapple with Covid- 19.
“So I’ve asked Belfast City Council to consider revoking it.”
Sir Van was brought up in east Belfast and the inspiration for several songs came from local streets like Cyprus Avenue and Hyndford Street.
The songwriter, 75, is releasing a trio of protest songs call
ing for an end to rules aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus.
His song No More Lockdown labels those who are “disturbing our peace” as “fascist bullies”.
B e l f a s t f a c e s r e n e we d restrictions preventing residents from entering other people’s houses as the rate of infection increases.
Northern Ireland’s health minister has said Sir Van’s lockdown protest songs are dangerous.
Robin Swann said: “I don’t know where he gets his facts. I know where the emotions are on this, but I will say that sort of messaging is dangerous.”