Britain's Green MP today declared her support for seven acquitted campaigners who caused £180,000 damage to an arms factory, backing their direct action. Caroline Lucas, the MP for Brighton Pavilion, said she was "absolutely delighted" that the activists had been cleared, after successfully arguing they were seeking to stop Israeli war crimes.
"I do think that there is a time when [non-violent direct action] is legitimate
and I think that this was such a time."
The three-week trial at Hove crown court ended today when the final two activists, accused of causing the damage to the Brighton factory, were acquitted. The jury had found the other five not guilty on Wednesday. The seven, who called themselves "decommissioners", had argued during the trial that they had a "lawful excuse" to smash up the factory, because it was manufacturing military equipment for the Israeli military, which was illegally killing Palestinian civilians, including children.
Outside the courthouse, Lucas said :"I am absolutely delighted the jury has recognised that the actions of the decommissioners were a legitimate response to the atrocities being committed in Gaza. I do not advocate non-violent direct action lightly. However, in this situation it is clear the decommissioners had exhausted all democratic avenues and, crucially, that their actions were driven by the responsibility to prevent further suffering in Gaza." She added: "I do think that there is a time when [non-violent direct action] is legitimate and I think that this was such a time."
The seven had admitted breaking in and destroying parts of the factory in January last year, in response to the Israeli military offensive against Gaza, known as Operation Cast Lead, but claimed they had a lawful excuse.
the Guardian
the Guardian
