An 81-year-old woman finds herself facing criminal charges, becoming one of the latest individuals ensnared in a significant police crackdown on environmental and Palestine solidarity protests.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a dozen people have been charged in connection with a series of demonstrations orchestrated by the group Palestine Action. These protests primarily targeted companies within the defence and security sector.
The charges, which include allegations of criminal damage and conspiracy to commit criminal damage, stem from a coordinated investigation into activities that took place between 2022 and 2024. The accused, ranging in age from 22 to 81, hail from various cities across England, including Bristol, Cambridge, and Manchester.
The protests focused on sites linked to Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems and other associated companies. Activists have long targeted these firms, arguing their equipment is used by the Israeli military in Gaza.
All twelve individuals are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 7th. This case is part of a broader pattern of legal action against direct-action protest groups in the UK, raising ongoing debates about the right to protest versus criminal liability.
