Green Party's Caroline Lucas 'delighted' over activists cleared of damaging arms factory in protest against Israeli war crimes
Caroline Lucas, the MP for Brighton Pavilion. Photograph: Chris Ison/PA
Caroline Lucas, the MP for Brighton Pavilion, said she was "absolutely delighted" that the activists had been cleared, after successfully arguing they were seeking to stop Israeli war crimes.
The three-week trial at Hove crown court ended today when the final two activists, accused of causing the damage to the Brighton factory, were acquitted. The jury had found the other five not guilty on Wednesday.
The seven, who called themselves "decommissioners", had argued during the trial that they had a "lawful excuse" to smash up the factory, because it was manufacturing military equipment for the Israeli military, which was illegally killing Palestinian civilians, including children.
Outside the courthouse, Lucas said :"I am absolutely delighted the jury has recognised that the actions of the decommissioners were a legitimate response to the atrocities being committed in Gaza. I do not advocate non-violent direct action lightly. However, in this situation it is clear the decommissioners had exhausted all democratic avenues and, crucially, that their actions were driven by the responsibility to prevent further suffering in Gaza."
She added: "I do think that there is a time when [non-violent direct action] is legitimate and I think that this was such a time."
The seven had admitted breaking in and destroying parts of the factory in January last year, in response to the Israeli military offensive against Gaza, known as Operation Cast Lead, but claimed they had a lawful excuse.
Chris Osmond, 30, from Brighton and Elijah Smith, 42, from Bristol, were acquitted of conspiracy to cause criminal damage on the directions of Judge George Bathurst-Norman.
Osmond said: "During Operation Cast Lead 1,400 people were killed, 350 of which were children. The international community appeared to be completely helpless. The UN could not even protect its own compounds. The only light at the end of the tunnel for the people of Palestine is if ordinary people like us take direct action on their behalf."
Lydia Dagostino, the defendants' lawyer, said: "This result shows the jury agreed with the defendants that in this situation there was really no other course but direct action."
The others acquitted are Simon Levin, 35, of Brighton, Tom Woodhead, 25, Ornella Saibene, 50, Bob Nicholls, 52, and Harvey Tadman, 44, all of Bristol.
Other peace and climate change activists have deployed the "lawful excuse" defence to get acquitted after using direct action against the targets of their campaigns.
Activists have been campaigning to close down the factory, owned by the EDO MBM arms firm, for six years.
Sussex police said that, while they respected the decision of the court, 20 people had been convicted following four demonstrations against the US-owned firm over the past two years.
Chief superintendent Graham Bartlett, Brighton and Hove city commander, said: "Sussex police want to facilitate peaceful protests to ensure the safety of both participants and members of the community and to minimise disruption to the city."
The activists had broken into the factory in the middle of the night, after recording video statements justifying their actions and distributing them to the public.
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