A former therapist from Gedling will today (4) risk arrest to add her voice to a protest on safeguarding juries’ rights.
Amanda Pumo will travel to Nottingham Crown Court to join in the action as part of the Defend Our Juries campaign. The silent protest, which takes place between 9-10am, is one of over 35 others happening today outside Crown Courts across England and Wales.
The protest is in reaction to some judges banning protesters from explaining the motivation for their actions. In some cases, people have even been sent to prison for simply using the words ‘climate change’ and ‘fuel poverty’ in Court.
Amanda, 64, said: “Defendants should be able to tell the jury the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Isn’t that what you swear to do in Court? How can the jurors make a decision without the full facts!?”
In London earlier this year, Trudi Warner, 68 was arrested and is now being prosecuted for taking part in an earlier Defend our Juries protest. Another 40 people who repeated this action in support of Trudi now risk similar treatment for “attempting to pervert the course of justice” and “contempt of court”. All face substantial prison sentences if they are convicted.
Ben Homfray, 57, a Mental Health Nurse from Sherwood Rise said: “I thought the British justice system was fair and just, but what’s actually happening these days is more like some kind of oppressive state”.
“Why aren’t juries trusted to be told exactly what their powers are?” askes Richard Vogler, Professor of Comparative Criminal Law and Criminal Justice, University of Sussex in an article published in The Barrister magazine [7]. He concludes “since many climate campaigners have now been denied the right to present a defence based on their actual beliefs, where better than outside a trial court to remind jurors, politely, accurately and in a passive, non-confrontational way, of the fundamental common law duties and obligations which they must uphold on behalf of all of us”
I think this is a brilliant way to show exactly how far off track our government is . I agree with Amanda that we need to keep pointing out how they are trying to erode our democratic rights
It’s chilling that defendants in court aren’t allowed to give a full defence. What are they – political courts? And prosecuting protestors for free speech is even more alarming. Makes you wonder what the judges and politicians are so scared of – the truth?
Thank you so much Amanda and anyone and everyone else doing this action!
Having now experienced the legal system and watched how defences can be refused and denied by the judge to be shared with the jury, I can only thank you for your bravery.
Whilst in London with the HSBC9 I was at first very angry and shocked on watching this play out in court. I had full faith in the jury making the right decision based on all the facts – but they don’t always have that luxury which should be a basic right for all.
It felt right for the protesters to be outside the court balancing the books, for them to hear/see that crucial piece of knowledge.
For our girls on this occasion justice prevailed for which I am very grateful.
Don’t get me wrong I was very stressed on seeing the non violent protesters there expecting them to be arrested too which felt very very wrong.
However, the police although present, allowed the peaceful protesters to make their point and then leave quietly.
Huge respect for everyone involved and feel it can be a very effective protest.