Following the arrest of 19 pro-Palestine activists in less than 48 hours in June 2023, the arrestees known as ‘The Cardiff19’ were all charged with a range of charges from obstructing a public highway and locking on to another person.
At the plea hearing in Cardiff Maristraigtes court on Wednesday 18th December 2024 all of the Cardiff19 pled not gulity to all charges.
Some of the charges used against the Cardiff19 were brought in as part of the Police Crime and Sentencing Bill. This bill was brought in to be used against protesters who attempted to hold the state accountable for their complicity in climate destruction and now their complicity in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. These charges are used as repression tactics to scare people into silence. We must oppose the use of these charges as they become more widespread. These types of charges are authoritarian and allow the police to have more power and limit our right to protest. We must defend our right to protest.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant for “crimes against humanity and war crimes”. This furthers our call for the UK government to stop the sale of arms to Israel.
The prosecution of the Cardiff19 is an attempt to paint pro-Palestine activists as criminals. The Cardiff19 stand unwaveringly with the Palestinian people. Stand with the Cardiff19 in the fight to defend our right to protest.
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