Defend Our Juries

Local Press From Newcastle to Truro, from Caernarfon to Cardiff

National Week of Action – April 24

A collage of photos of people at crown courts with their placards

As the Solicitor General applies to commit Trudi Warner to prison, hundreds gather outside every Crown Court in England and Wales…

See the press release
Protest group demonstrates outside Aylesbury Crown Court over social worker case (16 April 24) Why a protest was held outside Bradford Crown Court (19 April 24) Bristol residents defend historic role of juries outside Bristol Crown Court (15 April 24) You may not know the name Trudi Warner, but she is becoming synonymous with protest – as Bristol showed (15 April 24) Threat to jury law protest outside Cambridge Crown Court part of UK-wide demonstrations (21 April 24) Protest over jury freedom set to take place in Coventry (15 April 24)

Whatever a judge demands – a right of juries to act independently – has been enshrined in English law ever since 1688. It is the power of the common people to defy the great and powerful.

Merle Gering, 76, Coventry

Protesters to hold sit in outside Doncaster Crown Court over jury freedoms (18 April 24) Dorset grandmothers say ‘our government is silencing ordinary people’ (18 April 24) UPDATE: Dorset residents show solidarity with defendant at the Royal Court of Justice (19 April 24) Activists from Defend Our Juries hold silent vigil outside Ipswich Crown Court in support of retired social worker Trudi Warner (18 April 24) Protesters outside Ipswich Crown Court defend juries (18 April 24) Activists from Defend Our Juries take to King’s Lynn Crown Court to protect jury equity (18 April 24) Local activists brave rain to protest jury restrictions in Lincoln (15 April 24)

Trudi was arrested for silently and peacefully holding a placard stating jurors’ rights. We are here, today, in solidarity with Trudi and to alert people of the erosion of our democratic rights that is taking place before our very eyes.

Rosemary Robinson, Lincoln

[London] Climate protester will not face court over placard to jury (22 April 24) Outside Newport Crown Court, Residents Defend Juries As Conscience Acquittals Come Under Attack (17 April 24)

A free and fair jury system is fundamental in a democracy but is under attack in Wales and England! We need juries to be fully informed about cases they are hearing… Jurors must also be free to make decisions according to their consciences. Otherwise we won’t have fair trials!

Rachel, teacher, 61, Newport

Gedling property manager risks arrest while taking part in Defend our Juries court protest in Notts tomorrow (18 April 24) Oxfordshire residents join Defend Our Juries campaign (17 April 24) [Reading] The juries conscience: Mournful protest outside Crown Court (19 April 24) Defend Our Juries stages latest protest against ‘criminalisation’ of mentioning climate change and jury nullification (19 April 24) Protesters gather outside Salisbury Crown Court over jury freedom (15 April 24) Southend and Basildon courts ‘Defend our Juries’ protests (18 April 24) Protest outside Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court – here’s why (19 April 24) Swindon Set to Join Nationwide Jury Rights Defence (15 April 24) Silent protest outside Truro Crown Court to defend justice (18 April 24)

Juries’ rights are under attack. We must defend and assert their right to reach a verdict according to their conscience, not according to the whim of a judge.

Oliver Baines, farmer, Grampound

Defend our Juries demonstrating outside Winchester Crown Court (17 April 24) Defend our Juries [Liverpool] court protest includes retired Winsford doctor (16 April 24) Why people have been sat outside Wolverhampton Crown Court holding placards (16 April 24) Highgate XR protest for Trudi Warner at Wood Green Crown Court (17 April 24) Defend Our Juries protest outside Worcester Crown Court (15 April 24) Trudi Warner supporters hold vigil outside York Crown Court (15 April 24)

I’m taking part because I was appalled at the arrest and prosecution of Trudi Warner for holding a sign that simply stated a lawful fact – that juries can acquit defendants according to their conscience. I am also incensed by the silencing of climate protesters in general, but especially when in court they are forbidden from citing the climate catastrophe as a motivation for their actions.

Mike, 35, Nature conservationist, York

Prosecute us too

A collage of photos of people (and dogs!) around the country posting letters

300 people write to new Solicitor General: Since you’re prosecuting Trudi Warner, you should prosecute us too. As well as being handed in at the Ministry of Justice in London, copies of the letter were posted around the country, including in Carmarthen, Cromer, Derby, Falmouth, Gloucestershire, Leamington Spa, Nottingham, Oxford, Penzance, Sheffield & Shrewsbury.

See the press release
Map showing the locations of the 50 Crown Courts that had signholders outside on December 4, 2023

National Day of Action – Dec 23

On 4th December 2023 an estimated 500 people gathered at more than 50 Crown Courts across England and Wales to uphold the law.

See local press coverage below, along with some quotes from those who took part; from Newcastle to Truro & Caernarfon to Cardiff.

See the press release
The Bucks Herald (Aylesbury, 04/12/23) Bucks Free Press (Aylesbury, 05/12/23)

I’m doing this because it’s so important that the legal system does not stop people from telling the whole truth in court, and does not stop jurors from making the decision they think is right when they have all the information. Our society often seems to allow those in power to lie with impunity, but the truth – the whole truth – ought to matter. At times like these, it is more important than ever that rights which have been enshrined in law for hundreds of years are not abandoned.

Emma Cooper, 32, from Lichfield

Lancashire Telegraph (Bolton, 05/12/23) The Bolton News (Bolton, 05/12/23)
Bournemouth Echo (Bournemouth, 08/12/23) Dorset Eye (Bournemouth, 04/12/23) West Country Voices (Bournemouth, 05/12/23)
BNN (Bristol, 05/12/23) Bristol Live (Bristol, 04/12/23)

I think it is ridiculous for someone to be arrested and threatened with jail for holding a sign which reads the same as a plaque on the Old Bailey. I am concerned about the erosion of democracy in the UK which includes juries and the right to protest.

Sarah Michel, 44, an Interpreter from Machynlleth, Powys

My Quaker faith impels me to speak truth to power. Truth is one of six core Quaker testimonies along with equality, simplicity, peace, community and sustainability. People who serve society as jurors deserve respect and to be truthfully informed of their rights and responsibilities.

Kirsten Lavers, 62, a Quaker meeting house warden and artist

Inside Croydon (Croydon, 04/12/23)
North Devon Today (Exeter & Plymouth, 06/12/23)
Surrey World (Guildford, 04/12/23) Sussex World (Lewes, 05/12/23)
Islington Tribune (London, 08/12/23) Waltham Forest Echo (London, 04/12/23)
Northwich Guardian (Manchester, 04/12/23)

As a lawyer, I feel passionately that the role juries play in our legal system is a fundamental constitutional protection that cannot be undermined to serve political agendas. Those charged with serious crimes are entitled to have their guilt decided by a jury and not by professional judges. This right has been enshrined in British law for centuries and is an insurance that criminal law confirms to the ordinary person’s idea of what is fair and just.

Marie-Louise, 40, a solicitor from Whitley Bay

Eastern Daily Press (Norwich, 05/12/23)
Gedling Eye (Nottingham, 04/12/23) West Bridgford Wire (Nottingham, 05/12/23)
Oxford Mail (Oxford, 04/12/23)
RDG Today (Reading, 04/12/23) Reading Chronicle (Reading, 04/12/23)
Now Then Magazine (Sheffield, 04/12/23) Tell the Truth Sheffield (Sheffield, 07/12/23)
Shropshire Star (Shrewsbury, 05/12/23)

My grandfather was a high court judge and I know he would have supported my actions today. He instilled in me a sense of morality and a deep respect for our world famous British legal system. We cannot allow the centuries’ old rights of jurors to be undermined by political pressure.

Kate Griffith, 67, a retired accountancy clerk from Much Wenlock

Hampshire Chronicle (Winchester, 04/12/23)
Worcester News (Worcester, 09/12/23) Malvern Observer (Worcester, 03/12/23)
Express & Star (Wolverhampton, 05/12/23)

National Day of Action – Sept 23

On 25th September 2023 over 250 people gathered outside Crown Courts across England and Wales to uphold the law.

See the press release