Judith Sambrook’s supporters demonstrating outside Wrexham Magistrate’s Court Photo: No CONcensus
Census boycotters in court
Court appearances begin for census boycotters
Prosecutions have begun against people who boycotted this year’s census in protest against the arms industry. Boycotters in England and Wales are angry that the census contract was awarded to multinational arms company Lockheed Martin. In Scotland and Northern Ireland there was opposition over the role of arms firm CACI (see ‘Opposition to the census grows’, 25 March).
At least four people have so far been summoned to court for refusing to complete the census. Judith Sambrook, 47, is thought to have been the first. She pleaded not guilty at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court on grounds of a human right to freedom of conscience. Her case was adjourned. Sarah Ledsom of Wirral, Deborah Glass Woodin of Oxford and Roger Grenville of Leamington Spa are all due in court in December or January. While a number of Quakers boycotted the census, the Friend is not aware of any who have yet been summoned to court.
‘As a taxpayer, I have already contributed to Lockheed Martin’s profits and it is not my intention to give them another penny,’ explained Roger Grenville, 66. He said he would rather go to prison than pay a fine.
