Protesters deserve a voice in court

Academics argue that protesters charged with nonviolent offences should not be compelled to renounce their motives in court. Dr Graeme Hayes from Aston University said: “The way courts handle protest trials forces activists into an impossible position – either abandon their political stance or face harsher punishment.” A study, published in the Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, highlights a trend of increasing restrictions on defences for disruptive protests and harsher sentences for offenders. Steven Cammiss from the University of Birmingham noted a shift towards a more repressive judicial environment, where courts are tightening sentencing and limiting defence options. The researchers advocate for an “integrity principle” in protest trials, allowing defendants to justify their actions without the expectation of remorse.