A protest has been scheduled outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 1 April at 9am. Supporters are expecting to hear the verdict in the trial of two leaders of the Palestine movement.
Ben Jamal, director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), and Chris Nineham, vice chair of Stop the War Coalition (SWC), were both charged with public order offences in 2025.
A test case for new police powers
The charges relate to a protest organised outside BBC Portland Place on 18 January 2025. It was scheduled to be the 22nd march for Palestine after 15 months of sustained demonstrations. All of the previous protests had be peaceful and lawful.
The march to BBC Portland Place was no exception. Demonstrators intended to lay flowers outside the building in memory of those killed in Gaza or, if stopped by police, to lay flowers at their feet.
Police originally allowed the protest to take place, after making a request to postpone it, which the organisers agreed too. However, following complaints submitted by various representatives within the Jewish community – including the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC), Central London Synagogue and the Chief Rabbi – permission was withdrawn on the grounds of ‘cumulative disruption’.
The use of such powers was not formalised by the government until October 2025. Nevertheless, they were tested haphazardly on those marching that day.
The Metropolitan Police alleged the breach of protest conditions was ‘coordinated’ and deliberate. The Canarypreviously reported on various ‘inaccuracies’ in the Met’s version of events.
‘Ludicrous’ criminalisation
During Jamal and Nineham’s trial, which spanned three weeks, the court heard all about the chaotic policing operation on the day of the protest. This included the claim that police officers on the ground had no knowledge that a small delegation wanted to walk to the BBC to lay flowers.
The defence argued that there was no case to answer, but this rejected by the judge without giving reasons. The defence barrister described the Crown’s case as a
ludicrous invitation to criminalise legitimate protected political speech about the misuse of state power against people’s civil liberties.
As Jamal and Nineham await the verdict in their case, Stop the War Coalition are now inviting supporters to gather outside the court. Speakers at the protest on Wednesday include RMT union general secretary Eddie Dempsey, PCS union president Martin Cavanagh and Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos.
By The Canary
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