Mick Hardy, a disabled pensioner from Norwich is being forced to travel to Westminster Magistrates Court in London, this coming Tuesday 17th February, for protesting against the genocide in Gaza and the ban on Palestine Action.  The court case is going ahead despite the High Court ruling on Friday that the ban is unlawful. 

Mick, who is 72 this month, took part in the protest in Norwich city centre last August and was arrested under the Terrorism Act for holding a sign. All the court cases from across England are being dealt with at Westminster Magistrates Court, forcing some people to travel hundreds of miles to attend – even though the High Court has ruled the ban unlawful.

Mick who is in receipt of pension credits but is having to pay for his own travel and subsistence costs to get to the capital.  Hardy, who has mobility and sight impairments, is also having to pay the costs for a personal assistant to accompany him as he cannot make the journey alone.

Mick Hardy said: “This should be dealt with in Norwich, not making disabled pensioners pay large sums to travel to London for a court appearance that is potentially unlawful.” 

He continued: “I think ordinary people have all said the genocide and the ban is unlawful and unjust. Who is for genocide? Nobody!  This is about the criminalisation of peaceful protest.  What comes next?  Don’t forget Norfolk man Tom Paine wrote The Rights of Man. Things have not changed since the 18th century – this is a rising of the common people against the politicians, Lords and peers against the criminalisation of peaceful protest.”

Image: c/o Labour Hub.