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

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – 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.

Kaynak: