The Filton 4 case raises hard questions about protest, law, and where “resistance” ends.
Four Palestine Action activists (Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, Fatema Rajwani) broke into Elbit Systems’ factory in Filton, Bristol in Aug 2024. They rammed the fence with a van and caused ~£1.2 million in damage to equipment they say was linked to Gaza operations. Goal: disrupt what they call British complicity in suspected genocide.
Jury convicted all four of criminal damage. Samuel Corner was also found guilty of GBH without intent (Section 20) for striking Sgt. Kate Evans twice in the back with a sledgehammer during the chaos, fracturing her spine. She was on restricted duties over a year later, with lasting physical and psychological effects. Very sad outcome.
They were not charged or convicted of terrorism offences. No deaths, no bombs, no intent to kill civilians. Yet the judge (Mr Justice Jeremy Johnson) applied a “terrorist connection” enhancement at sentencing under the Sentencing Act 2020. This was decided by the judge alone — not the jury — and kept from the jury during the trial. It led to longer prison terms (combined over 20+ years reported) and terrorist-offender status on release.
UK law (Terrorism Act 2000 definition, applied via sentencing) covers serious property damage done for a political/ideological cause with intent to influence government or intimidate a section of the public. The judge ruled their action met that test: coordinated raid to pressure policy on arms exports.
The activists and supporters argue they were acting from moral duty to stop suspected genocide — a risk states have obligations to prevent under the Genocide Convention and R2P. When the state appears to ignore or enable it, isn’t some resistance justified?
Yes, citizens don’t “have to do nothing.” History honours civil disobedience (Gandhi, MLK, suffragettes) when laws enable grave injustice. Peaceful protest, voting, litigation, and mass pressure are core democratic tools.
But the Filton 4 pushed past legal limits: breaking and entering, major criminal damage, and (in one case) serious injury to a police officer. Good intentions don’t automatically provide a defence in court. Juries convicted on the facts.
The real flashpoint is the terrorist connection label. Many (including human rights groups like Amnesty) call this a step too far — stretching terrorism sentencing to non-lethal protest without jury input. First time applied this way? It risks chilling legitimate direct action on other issues (environment, etc.). Critics see it as the state protecting defence interests over protest rights.
Others argue the law was properly applied: you can’t coerce policy via £1M+ vandalism at a secure site and expect it treated as minor protest.
This isn’t a classic “terrorist attack” (no mass violence for fear). It’s political property damage in a bitterly contested conflict. The ICJ Gaza case is ongoing — no final genocide ruling.
The case highlights a tension: moral duty to resist perceived complicity vs. rule of law in a democracy. Where do we draw the line so that justified resistance doesn’t slide into unchecked vigilantism?
Thoughts? Appeals are expected. Rule of law matters, but so does moral consistency when states fail duties.
#Filton4 #ProtestRights #RuleOfLaw
There is now clear evidence that the Great Israeli Real Estate event had unlawful activity at it.
I've written to the Mayor of London to ask what he intends to do about it.
This needs to be escalated immediately.
[RG911Team] Roger Waters is not afraid of the truth…
And the most taboo truth is regarding 9/11.
Learn more about his new push to get justice for 9/11 victims in the comment below ⬇️
No messing! @barrygardiner cuts to the chase on Thames Water.
Shareholders should not receive any compensation: and Government has the power to do it.
Sign our petition if you agree Thames Water should be taken into public ownership. https://t.co/RlXaNn4RpL
How 9/11 was done: "Once you gained access to the elevator shafts, then a team of loading experts would have access to all the core columns and beams. The rest could be accomplished … by just the right kind of explosives for the job at hand," explosives technician explains.
@nw_nicholas And let’s not even get started over the Lockerbie documentary (that they later appear to disown), the “How the Towers fell” fantasy and David Kelly affair… or their Gaza coverage… the Ministry of Truth.
Claire Kerrison was arrested at 4:33am from her Brighton home for sending emails concerning 'israel's' genocide in Gaza to her MP Peter Kyle.
Four police officer raided her home on 17 June 2025. They seized her electronics. Held her for over eight hours with no one knowing where she was. Released her on strict bail. Charged her in late 2025 under the Communications Act.
The case dragged on for a full year. She faced multiple court hearings including not-guilty pleas.
The emails were described by those who read them as articulate and non-abusive— simply expressing horror at events in Gaza.
The man who triggered the police complaint? Her own constituency MP, Peter Kyle:
- Britain's trade minister responsible for arms exports to 'israel'.
- Long standing member and previous vice-chair of Labour Friends of 'israel'
Kyle has been accused of breaching the Ministerial Code by failing to declare his LFI membership in the official List of Ministerial Interests for 18 months despite the clear conflict.
The case was finally dismissed yesterday, with costs awarded to Claire Kerrison.
This is why British politicians who are paid/influenced by the 'israel' lobby must be banned from public office.
https://t.co/viU9p4EGL7
https://t.co/0MR8J2EAU3
The fact that your government has made it illegal for me to answer yes is a damning testament to your flagrant disregard for civil liberties.
This may be targeted at those taking action against the genocide, but it sets a very dangerous precedent that puts everyone at risk.
Some of those women gave everything so you could sit in that chair, and you repay them by rewriting and erasing their stories, to give cover for genocide. Absolutely pathetic.
BREAKING
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds has just blocked a deal sparing Thames Water from prosecution for sewage dumping
107 MPs have signed our MPs’ letter asking Ofwat to drop the deal and take Thames Water into Special Administration.
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They are allergic to democratic accountability. Kyle should be ridiculed out of public life for calling the police on a constituent attempting to hold him to account.
"Where someone has committed criminal damage, that can be dealt with using ordinary criminal law -
Rather than using broad and poorly defined anti terrorism powers."
When the Filton trial didn’t get the verdict the state wanted, it bent the system to produce the desired results, aka corrupt official misconduct https://t.co/36uM7TTgAA
Soaring bills. Burst pipes. Sewage in our rivers and seas.
How many more times do we need to say it: the privatisation of water has been a total and utter failure. Bring it back into public ownership, now.
The second trial, with eight of the Filton 25, has begun today at the Old Bailey.
However, security are denying entry to all the family members and loved ones, demanding they have two forms of ID.
This rule has never been used before, and is clearly an intimidation tactic.
An 87-year-old was arrested for holding a sign, protesting Israel’s genocide of Gaza that has killed over 75,000 people.
No British arms executive has been arrested.
Not one.
Proscription decision was made on the basis of a categorical error.
Judge says Elbit was "trading lawfully".
Manufacturing weapons to be used in genocide is very, very, very illegal, under both UK and international law.