Pro-Palestine protester acquitted over 'coconut' placard in UK
Marieha Hussain carried sign depicting faces of then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman, alongside coconuts under tree on beach
LONDON
Marieha Hussain, who was charged with a "racially aggravated public order offence" for carrying a sign, was found not guilty during her trial in a London court Friday.
Hussain was acquitted by Westminster Magistrates' Court of racially aggravated public order offences for holding a satirical placard during a pro-Palestine protest.
Hussain, 37, was among thousands of protesters in central London last November who were demanding an end to Israel’s war in Gaza.
She carried a sign depicting the faces of then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman, alongside coconuts under a tree on a beach.
Her case drew widespread criticism, with many arguing that the sign was not "meant to be offensive" but rather an example of political commentary and "satirical."
On Thursday, a group of people staged a rally outside the courthouse to show solidarity with Hussain, a pregnant mother and teacher.
Video footages show Hussain was congratulated by her supporters while she was going out from the courthouse.
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