Today, bail was denied for three of the hunger strikers, as well another prisoner, all of whom are accused of taking part in the action against RAF Brize Norton, where two British military planes were painted red, to prevent their use in the Gaza genocide. Another hunger striker, Qesser Zuhrah, was also denied bail when her lawyers submitted an emergency application for bail due to her being hospitalised overnight.
The hunger strike, which involves eight prisoners for Palestine, is now on day 40. They are in the danger zone, where irreparable harm is likely, and their health
becomes critical. Each of them are accused of destroying the tools and weapons used to massacre the Palestinian people. For acting to stop a genocide, the state has locked them away for up to two years before they’re even afforded their right to a trial.
Even when their trial comes around, it will not be fair if their demands are not met. We know that crucial evidence which shows foreign and political interference in their cases is being redacted, evidence which clearly demonstrates an abuse of process.
Left with no other option to seek justice, the hunger strikers are using their bodies as a way to continue their resistance. Under the ‘duty of care’ of the state, they are coming physically weaker each day and David Lammy
has failed to bother responding to calls for a meeting with the legal representative of the hunger strikers.
This is an emergency. So far, as supporters of the strikes, we have appealed to the government, lobbied politicians, protested repeatedly, called the prisons and sent thousands of emails. They have ignored us. Now, it’s time to escalate.
It’s time to take inspiration from the prisoners themselves, and take direct action against the companies and institutions complicit in genocide. It’s time to hold to account the institutions responsible for imprisoning those who resist genocide.
Today, friends of hunger striker Amu Gib shut down the Ministry of Justice. Others blockaded the Kent factory of Israeli weapons firm Elbit Systems and just last night, protestors stormed the BBC headquarters. This is only the beginning of the escalation.
Our prisoners led the way, they sacrificed their liberty and they’ve sacrificed their health. Now it’s time to shut down all those complicit with the genocide, and with the repression of those who act against.