Brutkey

Emeritus Prof Christopher May
@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us

The Govt, says the vast majority of the nearly 750 people arrested for protesting the proscription of Palestine Action over the last two weeks are unlikely to receive custodial sentences, just community service orders & fines (or conditional discharges).

But, a conviction under the Terrorism Act can impact the ability to travel out of the country, and may preclude employment in various sectors (including education).

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

#protest #democracy
h/t FT

Alan T Perry 🇨🇦
@alantperry@mstdn.ca

@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us
Perhaps I'm missing something but would not the decision on guilt vs innocence and any sentence levied be matters for the courts to decide?

Emeritus Prof Christopher May
@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us

@alantperry@mstdn.ca

There are intervening issues; the role of juries (if these are jury trials), the finding of facts - were they really 'supporting' PA, and of course the views of the judge on the issue of mitigation.... which (in climate related cases has of course been ruled as irrelevant)

Alan T Perry 🇨🇦
@alantperry@mstdn.ca

@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us

Yes, but my point was it's not the government's role to determine whether those arrested are guilty or, if so, what the penalty will be. The quoted comment downplaying the probable sentence for those arrested presumes guilt and usurps the court's role in sentencing. The government has done its work (well or badly), the police have done theirs (well or badly), now let the courts do their work.

(And, of course, as you and others have pointed out, the mere finding of guilt carries consequences beyond any penalty levied.)