Al-Ahrar Palestinian Prisoner Support condemns in the strongest terms the sentencing of four activists in Britain who dismantled 40 military weapons, including deadly quadcopters that were destined for the use in the Gaza genocide. The Filton4— Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Zainab Rajwani— were collectively sentenced to a total of 25 years in prison. Additionally, the judge ruled that their actions carried a so-called “terrorist connection.”
We call for conscience people of the world to escalate against state repression that is violently incarcerating the Filton4. We also call for escalation against the imperialist war machine that the Filton4 successfully threw a wrench in— it is the responsibility of people on the outside of prison walls to continue this work.
“Terrorist” Psychic Intrusions
The continued weaponization of the terrorist label is a tired imperialist ploy designed to deter activists and communities from standing up for justice and to fan the flames of Islamophobia, white supremacy, and anti-migration sentiment.
In the context of Britain, CAGE International writes that, “this (sentencing of the Filton4) is a direct consequence of more than two decades of counter-terrorism powers, passed by exploiting fears and prejudices against Muslims, now being deployed against those seeking to resist genocide.”
Imperialist entities are engaging in what Dr. Lara Sheehi calls psychic intrusions, which are psychological operations designed to distort our perception of reality, divert our attention from the imperialist violence against the people of Palestine and their allies, and attempt to get us to disavow the people that are actually trying to combat said imperialist violence— both in West Asia and in the imperial core.
Psychic intrusions manipulate and coerce us into viewing the brave activists who destroy imperialist weapons as “criminals”. We are expected to accept that the killers of Palestinians can engage in gross levels of violence without any repercussions and that Western regimes, such as Britain, who supply the Zionist entity with weapons and give them political cover for their atrocities have any moral grounds to judge who is and is not a so-called “terrorist”.
Drop the “Terrorist” Label!
Imperialist logic is an affront to all moral codes. The application of the “terrorist” label is not only violent, it has rendered the word “terrorism” meaningless. The entities that are terrorizing the Palestinian, Lebanese, and Iranian people are offered political, financial, and military support by Western imperialists and Arab reactionary regimes. Meanwhile, those who dare take up arms to defend their homelands and lead the anti-imperialist struggle in West Asia are vilified, slapped with the terrorism label, and any support for them is criminalized. Such a distortion of reality, morality, and common sense is simply another marker of the absolute decay of Western imperialists and their Zionist outpost.
A Letter to Our Comrades
To our comrades Lottie, Fatema Zainab, Ellie, and Sam, we are inspired by your bravery and moral clarity in the face of state violence and criminalization. Your actions have clearly posed a threat to Britain’s genocidal government. That is a badge of honour that all freedom-loving people admire you for.
The violence and repression you have faced is a grave injustice. We are hopeful that your steadfastness and strength will carry you through the upcoming hardships of imprisonment and censorship. We salute you, stand in unwavering solidarity with you, and support your quest for justice and freedom by any means necessary!
Justice for Lottie, Fatema Zainab, Ellie, and Sam!
Free the Filton25!
Freedom For All Political Prisoners!
