KNEECAP bring dockworkers' union rep on stage in Bologna, following strike in support of Palestine

During the KNEECAP show at Sequoie Music Park in Bologna, Italy on June 16, 2026, the Belfast trio welcomed Josè Nivoi, a dockworkers' union representative from the CALP (Collettivo Autonomo Lavoratori Portuali), onto the stage.

Nivoi addressed the audience regarding the union's ongoing strikes, protests, and blockades. He specifically highlighted their efforts to prevent the loading of weapons onto ships, which the union asserts are being used in the conflict in Gaza. The dockworkers have gained international attention for organizing port blockades as a stance against the genocide in Gaza.

"We were taught that words can be like bullets, so I wanted to say two things: We shut everything down against genocide!” said Nivoi. “The second thing is that in October, we launched an international strike involving more than 35 ports in support of the Palestinian people, in support of the Lebanese people, in support of Cuba against the oppressors. We brought everyone together in October to take part in the international ports strike, because we have to block everything again.”

Genoa dockworkers announced a strike for May 18, demanding the immediate release of Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila from Israeli detention, who were kidnapped from the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian aid mission attempting to breach the Gaza blockade.

Since October 2023, Italian port workers have executed numerous blockades alongside at least five significant coordinated general strikes to support the Palestinian cause. In February 2026, they orchestrated a massive Mediterranean walkout, effectively halting operations across 21 international ports.

The crowd at the KNEECAP concerts throughout Italy was also heard chanting "Siamo tutti antifascisti" ("we are all anti-fascists").