Woman accused of criminal damage at Palestine protest – we’re defending her in court

In June 2024, Paula Akpan took part in a Palestine protest outside Scotiabank, alongside nine others. More than two years on, she’s still fighting a shocking charge of criminal damage, so we’re defending her in court.

At the time of the protest, Scotiabank was the largest foreign shareholder in Elbit Systems, with a massive $500m stake in the company. Elbit is the leading Israeli weapons manufacturer, producing military equipment like combat drones used to target and bomb Palestinian civilians. To highlight the bank’s complicity in the ongoing genocide in Gaza, some of the protesters sprayed symbolic blood-red paint over the front and rear entrances and they all locked on to each other outside the bank. 

The action was carefully timed to cause minimal disruption to the public. It happened at 6am, while the streets were empty, and it was over within hours. The protestors also left one entrance to the bank clear so that Scotiabank employees could still have access.

The police could have easily issued warnings and sent the group home. Instead, they chose to charge everyone with criminal damage, so Paula is now facing the threat of a criminal record and a punishment to be decided by the Court if she is convicted.

We think the police’s response was entirely disproportionate – but it’s part of a familiar pattern in the systemic crackdown on Palestine solidarity. Over the last year, police have made more than 3,500 arrests under the Terrorism Act 2000 against people peacefully protesting the banning of Palestine Action. Worse still, Palestine protesters recently became the first in British history to be sentenced as terrorists without ever being convicted of a terror offence.

Yet despite the state’s intimidation tactics, people refuse to be silenced. History has shown that when we speak out, we have the power to create change. And in February this year, after pressure from protesters and campaigning groups, Scotiabank dissolved all of its shares in Elbit Systems.

For Paula, the fight for Palestinian solidarity is deeply personal and rooted in her professional background as a historian.

“I’m acutely aware of how historical events are revised with time and distance,” Paula explained. “The suffragettes, once vilified, are now celebrated as heroes. I am certain that a time will come when those who protested for Palestine will be remembered very differently than how we are being presented by the state today.”

Paula is set to go on trial this summer, and we’ll be defending her in court as she pleads not guilty. And we’re also helping Dr Ayo Moiett investigate a claim against the police. Because no-one should be dragged through a legal battle for years simply for standing up against a genocide.

It’s time to defend our right to protest.