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In response to
"Van Morrison Prepares for Legal Battle Against Northern Ireland Over Live Music Ban -- (link)"
by
Remlik
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from Van's Wiki page. he has not liked the lockdowns since day 1.
Posted by
Peglegpete (aka peglegpete)
Jan 19 '21, 15:57
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrison was against social distancing as quoted, “Come forward, stand up, fight the pseudo-science and speak up.” [211] Continuing with this narrative, Morrison released three new songs in September 2020, which had messages of protest against the COVID-19 lockdowns in the UK. Morrison accused the UK government of "taking our freedom".[212] He had performed socially-distanced concerts previously, but said that the shows were not a sign of "compliance".[213]
He has been called a "covidiot",[214] and there have been calls in Belfast for Belfast City Council to revoke his Freedom of the City honour following the intervention: city councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown said that his lyrics were "undermining the guidance in place to protect lives and are ignorant of established science as we grapple with Covid-19."[215]
In addition, the Northern Ireland health minister, Robin Swann, accused Morrison of smearing public health practitioners and aiding tin foil hat wearing conspiracy theorists. Writing in Rolling Stone magazine, Swann said:
"We expected better from him … Some of what is he saying is actually dangerous. It could encourage people not to take coronavirus seriously. If you see it all as a big conspiracy, then you are less likely to follow the vital public health advice that keeps you and others safe."[216]
in the same article, Swann also charged Morrison with:
"a smear on all those involved in the public health response to a virus that has taken lives on a massive scale. His words will give great comfort to the conspiracy theorists – the tin foil hat brigade who crusade against masks and vaccines and think this is all a huge global plot to remove freedoms. He’s chosen to attack attempts to protect the old and vulnerable in our society. It’s all bizarre and irresponsible. I only hope no one takes him seriously. He’s no guru, no teacher."[216]
In November 2020 Morrison and Eric Clapton collaborated on a single called "Stand and Deliver" whose profits from sales will be donated to Morrison's Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund.[217]
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