Vegan Festival at Gilwell Park Cancelled After UK Lawyers for Israel Complaint
The Scout Association withdrew the venue booking after UKLFI raised concerns about performers' material, leaving organisers to call off the event and plan a 2027 reschedule.
Overview
- The Scout Association confirmed it cancelled the hire of Gilwell Park, and the Great Vegan Gathering organisers said the planned fundraiser will not go ahead at that venue and will be rescheduled for 2027.
- UK Lawyers for Israel sent a letter to the venue naming three acts—HAWXX, Active Slaughter, and Millie Manders and The Shutup—and alleging an extensive record of material that it said could amount to antisemitism or endorse violence.
- All three named bands publicly rejected UKLFI's characterisation of their work and defended their political positions in statements to the press.
- Middle East Eye reviewed the songs cited by UKLFI and found at least some of the lyrics do not explicitly endorse violence, creating a factual dispute over the group's claims.
- Campaigners and legal researchers say UKLFI has a long record of pressuring Palestine‑related events and that complaint letters and venue risk reviews can produce a chilling effect that disrupts cultural fundraising and programming.