Today, Wednesday 8 July was the final day of our comrade Sarah’s trial on spurious terrorism charges. This case goes to the heart of our right to support the Palestinian people as they fight back against oppression by all available means.
The trial opened on 22 June and for a week the court heard evidence and submissions. The prosecution claimed that Sarah’s speech on 9 October 2023 ‘intentionally or recklessly’ encouraged support for Hamas, which is proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000. The defence and Sarah herself spoke about how the right of oppressed peoples to fight back, including by armed struggle, is firmly enshrined in international law.
On 1 July the jury was discharged and today the court directed that there will be a retrial, beginning on 14 September. Once again this will be at the Old Bailey Central Criminal Court. It is likely to last for a week.
Outside court, supporters of the Defend SOAS 2 campaign and Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! ignored petty police harassment as we showed our resolute solidarity, both with Sarah, and with the Filton 8 and Instro 10 direct actionists, who were also in court today. We were joined by representatives of the Partisan Defence Committee, Newham Trades Council, the Irish Brigade and other groups. The protest also heard from Kwabena Devonish, who was acquitted on a similar charge to Sarah’s at Bristol Crown Court in March this year.
Kwabena’s case shows how the state will always come for people who stand with Palestine but that if we organise both in and outside the court we can win. We have mobilised consistently ever since Sarah was arrested and have demonstrated at court every day throughout her trial. We will be there again every day of the retrial. We have fought Sarah’s case politically and always will do in every instance where our comrades come under state attack. We make no concessions in the court room or on the streets and we will never give up supporting the risen people of Palestine or opposing the Zionist British state’s attempt to criminalise our solidarity.
