Accused Palestine Action activist described as 'a remarkable woman' by barrister
Closing speeches are being heard in the trial of six people accused of violent disorder
A Palestine Action activist accused of violent disorder during a break-in at an Israel-based defence firm's UK site is a "remarkable woman", her barrister has told jurors as he likened her to the suffragettes.
Charlotte Head, 29, is on trial at Woolwich Crown Court accused of being involved in a "meticulously organised" demonstration at an Elbit Systems factory in Bristol in the early hours of August 6 2024, along with Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, Fatema Rajwani, Zoe Rogers and Jordan Devlin.
The group wore red jumpsuits and allegedly used sledgehammers as weapons during the action.
Delivering his closing speech on Thursday at Woolwich Crown Court, Rajiv Menon KC, defending Head, told jurors a quote from American writer Margaret Mead: "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 an example of such a group is the suffragettes, "who at the beginning of the 20th century waged a militant campaign to secure votes for women... their slogan was deeds not words."
Mr Menon said that today the suffragettes are celebrated publicly for their heroism, but were in their time accused of being "a threat to the social order" and "unladylike, feral, aggressive, violent", by MPs and in the mainstream press.
"The reality of course is very different," Mr Menon told jurors. "The suffragettes were remarkable women from all walks of life united in their hope, their despair, their defiance and their dedication.
"Charlotte Head is also a remarkable woman and I say that without any reservation. This is not something that lawyers defending clients in criminal trials often say... we are taught to avoid the personal.
"But it must be said in this case, not only because it is true but also because it is relevant."
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.
Prosecutors allege Head and Kamio were involved in planning the action, and along with Corner, Rajwani and Rogers they "smashed up" Elbit Systems' equipment in the factory, including drones and computers.
But Mr Menon said Head did not play an organisational role and that she drove the prison van which was crashed into the factory's fence because nobody else in the group had experience driving vans.
The group deny that they used sledgehammers as weapons.
The trial has previously heard Head had worked with refugees in Calais in her early twenties, later attending pro-Palestine demonstrations and sleeping at an encampment outside Hackney town hall as part of a protest, but felt that concerns were not being heard.
In June 2024, Head attended a training event in north London and said that she 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."
The defendant; Kamio, 30; Rajwani, 21; Rogers, 22; Devlin, 31; and Corner, 23, deny aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder, and the trial continues.