Lambeth campaigners react as Palestine solidarity leaders convicted for trying to march to BBC over Gaza coverage

Figures from across the borough have voiced alarm at the conviction of Palestine Solidarity Campaign director Ben Jamal and Stop the War vice chair Chris Nineham, found guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday 1 April 2026 of breaching Public Order Act conditions imposed on a planned march to the BBC over its Gaza coverage in January 2025.

Jamal received an 18-month conditional discharge, Nineham 12 months, and both were ordered to pay £7,500 in prosecution costs. Jamal was also convicted of inciting others to breach the conditions.

The verdict drew sharp reactions locally, days after thousands marched through central London with the Together Alliance including a strong South London contingent.

Streatham Green Party councillor Martin Abrams who marched at the weekend, spoke to Brixton Buzz:

“Today’s guilty verdict is a disgraceful and deeply troubling decision that strikes at the heart of democratic freedoms.

Peaceful protest and the right to speak out against injustice are fundamental pillars of our society and democracy, but these rights and freedoms are under attack from successive Tory and Labour governments and the wider establishment who are desperate to silence any and all voices who stand up against genocide and Israeli apartheid.

This movement will not be silenced.” – Streatham’s Cllr Martin Abrams.

Brixton-based solicitor Tom Wood, who himself faces charges after being arrested at a Palestine Action protest – with his court date pushed back to 30th July, said:

“Anyone still doubting that there is a coherent, intentional drive to suppress unwelcome opinions needs to look long and hard at this decision.

It is shocking that this suppression of dissent has been directed at opponents of a genocide.

My fear is that it reflects a wider desire to make challenges to the established order more difficult.” – Tom Wood, Brixton

Wood noted that around 2,700 people have been arrested for expressing support for Palestine Action, with 500 charged.

Ruby Bukhari, founder of Shake It Up and independent council candidate for Brixton Acre Lane, said the case was “deeply troubling for anyone who cares about democratic rights”, and went on to say:

“When peaceful protest is restricted under pressure, it sends a message about whose voices are protected and whose are not.

As an independent candidate, it reinforces for me why local politics matters – because we need representatives who are not beholden to party lines or external pressure, but who will defend the right to protest and stand with communities demanding accountability.” – Ruby Bukhari.

A spokesperson for Lambeth Votes Palestine said:

“This verdict confirms exactly why Lambeth Votes Palestine exists.

When the courts criminalise peaceful protest and the state shields the BBC from accountability over its Gaza coverage, the ballot box becomes even more important.

On May 7th, Lambeth voters have the chance to elect councillors who have signed the Palestine pledge and will stand up for the right to protest, the right to dissent, and the right of Palestinians to live in freedom.” – Lambeth Votes Palestine.

The convictions stem from the 22nd national Palestine march on 18th January 2025. The route to BBC headquarters at Portland Place had been agreed with police months in advance, but conditions were imposed at the last minute restricting the event to a static rally on Whitehall.

Police logs revealed enormous pressure from pro-Israel groups, including the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Leadership Council and the Chief Rabbi – to prevent the march reaching the BBC.

The defence argued the conditions were unlawful, citing a Court of Appeal ruling that legislation granting police unlimited powers to restrict protests was enacted unlawfully. The judge dismissed this without giving reasons.

On the day, Jamal told the crowd from the stage that a small delegation would walk to the BBC to lay flowers in memory of those killed in Gaza – or if stopped, lay them at the feet of the police. Video evidence showed officers ushering the delegation through their own cordons before Nineham was pulled to the ground and arrested. Jamal then urged protesters to disperse, and they did.

Speaking outside court alongside Your Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, Jamal said: “We know that decisions like today are designed to suppress support for the Palestinian struggle for liberation. It will not succeed, this cause remains more important than ever.”

Corbyn, who attended the original march to the BBC alongside Labour MP John McDonnell and both later questioned by police, said he was “appalled” by the verdict, while Jamal’s full statement can be seen in the video at the end of this article.

Both men have confirmed they will appeal. PSC described the verdict as “designed to chill ongoing opposition to genocide, apartheid and illegal occupation” and raised concerns about the conduct of the six-day hearing, noting that the judge dismissed the defence’s legal argument on the unlawfulness of the conditions without giving any reasons for his decision.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “Where people who ought to have known about conditions in place choose to breach them, or choose to incite others to do so, it is important that there are consequences. We hope the verdicts encourage all protest organisers, no matter their cause, to understand the importance of cooperating with officers and complying with the lawful decisions they make.”

The next national march for Palestine is on 16th May.

More Info

Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Stop the War Coalition

Lambeth Votes Palestine

Jewish Voice for Liberation statement

Martin Abrams insta

Ruby Bukhari Insta

Full video of Ben Jamal’s statement outside court:

Feature Image by Jess Hurd, courtesy of Stop the War

Nineham and Jamal by Steve Eason, courtesy of Stop the War

Woman being arrested by Wayne Campbell

‘I Support Palestine Action’ at the High Court images courtesy of Tom Wood

All other images by Phil Ross

Video courtesy of PSC UK