On Wednesday morning, a demonstration organised by CAGE International saw an estimated 70+ people converge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, in solidarity with Marieha Hussain, the bold mother-of-two who last year introduced the satirical depiction of Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman as coconuts. [1] [2]
In May, Hussain — a heavily pregnant mother-of-two from High Wycombe — was ordered to attend the first of a number of hearings on 26 June, after being charged with a racially aggravated public order offence as a result of a satirical placard she hoisted during an 11 November 2023 pro-Palestine rally. [3]
The placard showed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and then Home Secretary Suella Braverman as a pair of coconuts, set against a tropical background. [2]
“Quintessentially British” expression of free speech
While the offence itself is ridiculous, it is undeniable that Sunak and Braverman are enablers of the Palestinian genocide and a disgrace to their own backgrounds.
Hussain said immediately after the hearing,
“I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time out to be here today. Your support gives me strength, courage, and motivation to face the media that vilified me and fight the charges levelled against me.
“Thank you for making the effort to be here; I’m truly grateful. Thank you, CAGE, Parents For Palestine, and Nelson Abbey for advocating for me and being my backbone as I navigate the challenges I’m up against.” [4]
She went on to say,
“Today, I attended court and entered my plea of not guilty. I want to make my position clear: I am facing a political charge for exercising my right to free speech in a quintessentially British way — a satirical placard.
“Despite this, I will continue to use my voice to speak up for genocides occurring in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, and against the Uyghur Muslims.” [4]
A two-day trial is scheduled to begin on 12 September 2024. [4]
CAGE staff detained and coconuts seized
The demonstration in support of Hussain saw a number of CAGE International staff members in attendance. [5]
Azad Ali, Operations Director; Muhammad Rabbani, Managing Director; Muhammad Mussa, Press Officer; Tahir Islam, Executive Associate; and Hashim Ali, Caseworker, all held up placards similar to the one popularised by Hussain. [5]
Also at the demonstration were Shezana Hafiz, Outreach Co-ordinator; Anas Mustapha, Head of Public Advocacy, and others.
Among the “evidence” confiscated by police were the offending placards — which were all clearly marked “FAO THE POLICE: THIS IS SATIRE” — and a selection of coconuts that had been used as props during the protest.
Mustapha said in a press release following the majority of the arrests,
“The crackdown on legitimate dissent to defend Israel’s genocide and its accessories is alarming. The Met Police should be busy seeking to arrest Zionist war criminals who travel unhindered to and from the UK.
“We are witnessing the weaponisation of anti-racism laws against religious and ethnic minority groups. It is telling that the five detained, are all Muslims of South Asian descent, have been arrested for criticising Sunak and Braverman, two members of government widely decried for their racist policies.
“We demand the unconditional release of the five CAGE International members and the immediate return of all coconut fruits. We call on all right-thinking individuals and organisations to stand up for the rights of free speech and protest as all our civil liberties are under attack, not just that of those currently incarcerated.” [5]
While all six were arrested by police and taken to Hammersmith Police Station, Hafiz was separately detained later in the evening, and last to be released at 1:30am on Thursday.
Large crowds had convened outside from 2:30pm on Wednesday, and many remained in place until all six staff members were released.
Sunak and Braverman’s support of Israel
Since the apartheid state launched its barbarism upon Gaza in October of last year, over 37,800 have been killed, the vast majority women and children. On top of this, at least 86,377 have been wounded. [6]
And nearly nine months on, the British government has done nothing to end the bloodshed.
In fact, Sunak has repeatedly defended Israel for its actions, echoing the lie that it has a right to self defence, even though it is an occupying power. In mid-October, he lent his “unqualified support in [the] face of evil”. [7]
Likewise, Braverman said in April that it is “absurd and, frankly, an insult” to say that the Zionist state is withholding aid from Gazans, despite overwhelming evidence of the fact. [8]
“The suggestion itself is absurd and, frankly, an insult to Israel who have been going above and beyond the necessary requirements to ensure that civilian casualties are limited, to ensure that aid is received onto the Gaza Strip and distributed.
”I have seen evidence myself, in terms of very up-to-date photographic evidence, of plentiful food packages and trucks of food, water, and medicines getting to the people of Gaza.” [8]
Analysis
ANALYSIS
We need Muslim heroes
Once again, our brothers and sisters at CAGE have shown leadership in the business of courage in standing up against that which is wrong.
Our community in general is extremely generous and altruistic; we donate hundreds of millions of pounds to charitable causes each year. However, what we are in need of nurturing is generosity and altruism in the presence of fear or risk, which is heroism.
We should learn the lesson that being arrested for taking a principled stand against an injustice (and in this 'coconut' case, absurdity) is not an obstacle but a badge of honour and a necessity for some, so that we can all enjoy the benefits of people holding power to account.
Our continued support is required
Those of us who did not have the privilege should show support to those brave brothers and sisters.
The description of scenes of people coming out to support them upon their release was reminiscent of the celebratory outpouring of support for Muhammad Rabbani, when he came out of court a 'convicted terrorist' for refusing to hand over the password to a USB drive containing case files of a US-torture victim.
In this one step, he simultaneously highlighted the importance of heroism and the absurdity of anti-terrorism laws, which even independent reviewer after reviewer has suggested be scrapped.
ANALYSIS
Lessons learned
There are two important lessons to learn from this debacle.
First, we must always support causes for justice. Marieha Hussain committed no offence, yet she is being treated as a criminal. Organisations like CAGE exemplify the courage needed to stand up for justice in such cases.
Second, we must remain undeterred by unjust repercussions, just as this sister has shown. Instead of discouraging us, such challenges should motivate us to advocate even more vigorously for Palestine and other crucial causes.
Also read
- Muslim charities need to be vocal on Palestine
- CAGE finds Palestinian solidarity in UK being shut down
- Michael Gove’s Muslim obsession behind extremism rethink
- Scholars defend imams who support Palestine through du’ā
- Civil society groups decry anti-Muslim targeting by UK government
Also watch
- A wasted vote is a vote for genocide
- Israel slammed at the World Court again
- Inaction can be a sin; here is how you can avoid it
- Why do Muslims treat prisoners better than others?
- Islamic scholar answers Muslim student protest FAQs
Source: Islam21c
Notes
[1] https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=490043246885326
[2] https://www.cage.ngo/articles/pregnant-mother-charged-for-holding-satirical-coconut-placard
