In November 2023, Marieha Hussain, a teacher and mother of 2, protested against the on-going genocide in Gaza and held a placard depicting former prime minister Rishi Sunak and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman as coconuts for their complicity in the genocide. 

Her picture was uploaded online within days of the protest and she was wanted by the Metropolitan Police, causing her image to be plastered all over the media. Marieha faced harassment and abuse as a result of the actions of the police.

Marieha is pregnant with her 3rd child and expecting to go on trial this week for holding this satirical placard. 

CAGE showed solidarity with Marieha at her plea hearing on 26 June alongside Parents for Palestine. Marieha’s sign was reproduced with the caption: ‘FAO Police: this is satire’. The police arrested 5 members of CAGE International staff: Azad, Rabbani, Tahir, Hashim and Mussa. And went on to arrest a 6th member: Shezana for merely chanting: “coconuts, coconuts you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide”. These cases are politically motivated and an attempt to silence and censor pro-Palestine voices. 

Anti-racist laws are being weaponised against the very minorities they were meant to protect and shield powerful politicians from rightful criticisms. 

We call upon the DPP to drop the charges against Marieha Hussain and the #CAGE6.