Palestine Action activist compared to suffragette

An alleged Palestine Action activist accused of violent disorder during a break-in at an Israel-based defence firm's UK site, has been likened to a suffragette by her barrister.

Charlotte Head, 29, is one of six people accused of carrying out a "meticulously organised" attack at an Elbit Systems factory near Bristol on 6 August last year.

She along with Samuel Corner, 23, Leona Kamio, 30, Fatema Rajwani, 21, Zoe Rogers, 22, and Jordan Devlin, 31 wore red jumpsuits and allegedly used sledgehammers as weapons during the actions but deny any wrongdoing.

Rajiv Menon KC, defending Head at Woolwich Crown Court, told jurors, the suffragettes were accused of being "a threat to the social order" in their time but were "remarkable women" and Charlotte Head is "also a remarkable woman".

Delivering his closing speech, Mr Menon quoted the American writer Margaret Mead to "never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world".

"Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

He told jurors the suffragettes were such a group, "who at the beginning of the 20th Century waged a militant campaign to secure votes for women" with the slogan "deeds not words".

Menon said now the suffragettes are celebrated for their heroism but in their time, they were accused of being "unladylike, feral, aggressive, violent" and "a threat to the social order".

"The suffragettes were remarkable women from all walks of life united in their hope, their despair, their defiance and their dedication," he told jurors.

"Charlotte Head is also a remarkable woman and I say that without any reservation.

"But it must be said in this case, not only because it is true but also because it is relevant."

Prosecutors allege Head and Kamio were involved in planning the action, and along with Corner, Rajwani and Rogers "smashed up" Elbit Systems' equipment, drones and computers.

Menon said Head did not play an organisational role and only drove the prison van, which was crashed into the factory's fence, because nobody else in the group had experience driving vans.

The trial previously heard Head attended a training event in north London in 2024 and had indicated a desire to be involved in "high-level" and "arrestable" action.

She told the jury: "For me it was a case of I don't want to look back and feel I didn't do the right thing because I might lose a job."

Head, Corner, Kamio, Rajwani, Roger and Devlin are each charged with aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder.

Corner denies a further charge of causing police sergeant Kate Evans grievous bodily harm.

The group deny they used sledgehammers as weapons.

The trial continues.

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