GAZA DEFENDANT APPEAL

Supporters of a man imprisoned for his part in the protests in London against the Israeli attacks on Gaza in January 2009 have called for support as he appeals his sentence. They’ll be holding a picket outside the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday 24th August at 9 am.

On 28th May 2010, Martin Askew was sentenced to 18 months in prison for violent disorder. He is alleged to have pushed over crowd barriers and thrown shoes at the Israeli Embassy. In return he received a savage beating from a riot copper that left him needing 70 stitches.

Martin pleaded not guilty at his trial and ran a political defence. He has some hope of success as a number of sentences have already been reduced on appeal. For more on the Gaza Protests and the subsequent court cases see SchNEWS 661, 710, 731.