UK courts deliver mixed verdicts in Pro-Palestine protest cases involving property damage

UK courts have delivered mixed outcomes in trials of pro-Palestine activists. Activists Jai Halai and Monday-Malachi Rosenfeld were convicted of criminal damage for pouring paint at the National Gallery, causing £8,000 in floor damage. Conversely, Paula Akpan and seven co-defendants were acquitted of criminal damage following a June 2024 protest at Scotiabank. Meanwhile, eight Palestine Action defendants face trial over an August 2024 raid on an Elbit Systems plant in Filton, with defense lawyers arguing the prosecution's conspiracy claims lack evidence.

UK pro-Palestine protest prosecutions

• ▪The June 17, 2024 Scotiabank protest involved activists spraying red paint and locking themselves together to protest the bank's $500 million stake in Elbit Systems
• ▪Good Law Project lead lawyer Cat Knight criticized the police response to the Scotiabank protest as disproportionate and reflective of a crackdown on the right to protest

Elbit Systems factory raid trial

• ▪Eight Palestine Action defendants face charges of violent disorder and criminal damage in connection with an August 2024 break-in at an Elbit Systems plant in Filton, near Bristol
• ▪William Plastow was acquitted of violent disorder charges related to the August 2024 Filton Elbit Systems raid, but he continues to face criminal damage charges

Defense arguments for defendants

• ▪Defense lawyer Tom Copeland argued that Julija Brigadirova was suffering from severe emotional distress and a recent suicide attempt during the alleged coordination of the August 2024 Filton raid
• ▪Defense barrister Andrew Rose argued that William Plastow had no prior knowledge of the Filton site and purchased tools without knowing they would be used for criminal damage
• ▪Defense barrister Emma Fenn argued that Aleksandra Herbich's role in the Filton raid was limited to cooking and cleaning at the safe house, which does not constitute assisting or encouraging violent disorder

Prosecution evidence presented

• ▪The prosecution presented a Signal message from Jasmine Cruickshank to Julija Brigadirova asking about a 'Bristol van trip' as evidence of Brigadirova's coordination in the Filton raid
• ▪The prosecution's case against William Plastow rests on his purchase of equipment, including rucksacks, protective gear, and crowbars, which he handed over to co-defendant Charlotte Head

Criminal damage acquittals

• ▪Paula Akpan was acquitted of criminal damage charges by a UK court following her arrest during a June 17, 2024 protest outside Scotiabank in London
• ▪Seven of Paula Akpan's co-defendants were also acquitted of group criminal damage charges stemming from the June 17, 2024 Scotiabank protest

National Gallery paint protest conviction

• ▪On October 9, 2024, Youth Demand activists Jai Halai and Monday-Malachi Rosenfeld placed a poster over Pablo Picasso's painting Motherhood at the National Gallery in London and poured red water-based paint on the floor
• ▪Jai Halai and Monday-Malachi Rosenfeld were convicted of criminal damage for causing approximately £8,000 in damage to the floor and surrounding elements of the National Gallery during their October 2024 protest