Friends cleared of obstruction charges after peaceful protest
Two Quaker peace activists have been found not guilty of charges relating to protests at the DSEI arms fair
Two Quaker peace activists have been found not guilty of charges arising from protesting against the world’s largest arms fair, held last year by Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) in East London.
The hearings at Stratford Magistrates Court on 7 and 8 February cleared Tottenham Friend Jo Frew and Hull Friend Sam Donaldson of charges related to obstructing the highway, after the judge ruled their human rights, under articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention of Human Rights, must be upheld.
The two Quakers were among more than 100 peaceful protestors who were arrested while engaging in a witness for peace by lying in the road, locked on wooden frames, and blocking trucks from entering the arms fair.
The arrests came after faith groups and others staged seven days of nonviolent prayerful action, disrupting preparations for the arms fair at the ExCeL centre in London Docklands. The fair, which takes place every two years, attracts international arms dealers from countries including Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and UAE.
Six other peace activists from different faith groups were also cleared of the charges.
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