Discussion Forum: Criminalisation of Activists

Melanie is climate and social justice activist. She was one of the ‘Stansted 15’ activists who stopped a deportation plane to Nigeria and Ghana in March 2017. As a result of the action, 11 people due to be deported on that plane remain in the UK and at least 4 of them have since secured their right to remain, including at least 2 people who have since succeeded in their asylum claims. But as a result of exposing the State violence inherent in the deportation system, the Stansted 15 were prosecuted under security legislation and put on trial for 2.5 months, eventually being convicted on human rights day. After an agonising 2 months and a huge campaign, they were eventually sentenced and spared immediate prison sentences, but their appeal to clear their names remains ongoing.