Kneecap and Huge Assault have collectively shared a put up calling for followers to contact Secretary of State for Justice David Lammy MP to intervene within the safeguarding of Palestine Motion prisoners on starvation strike within the UK.
The six prisoners in query are amongst 24 protesters accused in relation to motion at Elbit Methods in Filton close to Bristol final 12 months, in addition to the so-called Brize Norton 5.
In response to The Guardian, the Filton 24 are scheduled to be tried on fees of aggravated housebreaking, prison injury and violent dysfunction in April subsequent 12 months. The Crown Prosecution Service mentioned there was a “terrorism connection”, however no fees have been introduced underneath the Terrorism Act.
These on remand in relation to the injury of two Voyager plane throughout a protest at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on June 20 had been beforehand charged with conspiracy to commit prison injury, and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for a function prejudicial to the protection or pursuits of the UK.
They aren’t scheduled to face trial till January 2027. Palestine Motion claimed accountability for each incidents.
Earlier within the month, a number of artists highlighted fears for the prisoners on starvation strike, in addition to criticising the BBC, accusing the organisation of not reporting the problem.
Yesterday (December 22), Kneecap and Huge Assault put their names to an Instagram put up, alongside the organisation Prisoners4Palestine, to encourage followers to jot down to Lammy.
“Proper now the lives of 6 younger non-violent protesters dangle in a single man’s fingers,” it begins, with a picture of the politician under. “Contact David Lammy MP urgently to demand an instantaneous humanitarian authorities intervention to safeguard the lives of unconvicted starvation strikers, on remand method past state limits.”
It continues: “The particular performative cruelty the Starmer Authorities reserves for individuals who insist on highlighting its complicity within the Genocide in Gaza is at its most extreme for the Filton 24.”
“From the forceful arrests of peaceable pensioners to open ended incarceration with out trial for non-violent activists, these actions are the repugnant signature of vengeful authoritarian ministers who really feel compelled to punish voices who reveal the political ethics they betrayed in service to Israel.”
The put up concludes: “It’s time for the prison justice system itself to save lots of its independence from state, and reject the clear politicisation of justice.”
Answering a request for remark from NME, Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Lowering Reoffending Lord Timpson mentioned:
“Whereas very regarding, starvation strikes usually are not a brand new subject for our prisons. During the last 5 years, we’ve averaged over 200 a 12 months and now we have longstanding procedures in place to make sure prisoner security.”
“Jail healthcare groups present NHS care and repeatedly monitor the state of affairs. HMPPS are clear that claims that hospital care is being refused are fully deceptive – they’ll all the time be taken when wanted and a variety of these prisoners have already been handled in hospital.”
“These prisoners are charged with severe offences together with aggravated housebreaking and prison injury. Remand selections are for impartial judges, and legal professionals could make representations to the courtroom on behalf of their purchasers.”
Concerning the put up’s requests, the assertion concluded: “Ministers won’t meet with them – now we have a justice system that’s primarily based on the separation of powers, and the impartial judiciary is the cornerstone of our system. It might be fully unconstitutional and inappropriate for Ministers to intervene in ongoing authorized circumstances.”
Among the many prisoners’ calls for is the de-proscription of Palestine Motion, which was banned underneath terrorism laws in July and proscribed as a terrorist group by the UK authorities.
The group’s proscription underneath the Terrorism Act 2000 means membership or public assist for the group is assessed as a prison offence and will end in as much as 14 years in jail.
Earlier within the 12 months, Huge Assault criticised the federal government for permitting the arrest of “peaceable residents” at a Palestine Motion demonstration in London. Over 500 folks had been arrested on the enormous protest in central London organised by the marketing campaign group Defend Our Juries in August. Primal Scream additionally criticised the arrests.
In August, Hozier spoke out in assist of Palestine Motion throughout his set at Studying Competition 2025.
