Jonathan May-Bowles has been released from custody. This outcome reflects the necessity of questioning disproportionate legal responses to peaceful dissent. Thank you for maintaining your focus on this matter throughout the proceedings.
October 26, 2011
Final supporters
FAO Theresa May, Home Secretary:
Free Jonnie Marbles - Throwing pies is not a crime
Jonathan May-Bowles has been sentenced to 6 to 8 weeks in prison for throwing a foam pie at Rupert Murdoch.
The comedian and activist, also known as Jonnie Marbles, was convicted for assault and “causing harassment, alarm or distress” after he threw the polystrene plate covered in shaving foam at the end of the Commons Select Committee’s hearing into phone hacking at News International.
No-one was harmed or put in any physical danger. Murdoch had not wanted to press charges, but the court proceeded anyway.
District Judge Daphne Wickham, who sentenced Jonnie, is the same person who let Sgt Delroy Smellie off the hook for assaulting Nicola Fisher at the G20 protest where Ian Tomlinson was killed. Wickham ruled that Smellie’s behaviour was lawful despite clear video evidence of him striking Fisher with a baton.
Jonnie’s excessive sentence for a prank that hurt no one, committed by someone with no criminal record, against a man whose media empire has ruined lives, is yet more evidence of government crackdown on dissent. There are many people who should arguably be in jail for their role in the News International phone hacking affair, but Jonnie is not one of them.
We call for Jonnie to be released from prison immediately.
Initiated by Defend the Right to Protest.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
August 3, 2011
August 2, 2011
The disparity between this sentencing and the lack of accountability for the phone hacking scandal remains the focus of our efforts. I am currently compiling your feedback to include in a formal letter to the Home Office.
Reached 100 supporters
August 2, 2011
6 Comments
Free him. He made a point and did it without hurting anyone. The real criminals are the ones hacking phones.
Absolute hero. Someone had to show that guy he isnt untouchable.
Ridiculous punishment. He stood up to a man who basically controls the country. Free him now.
This whole thing stinks of corrupt judges. Justice is officially dead in the uk.
it was just shaving cream! total joke that this guy is in a cell while the phone hackers are walking free.
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Jonathan May-Bowles has been released from custody. This outcome reflects the necessity of questioning disproportionate legal responses to peaceful dissent. Thank you for maintaining your focus on this matter throughout the proceedings.
October 26, 2011
Final supporters
FAO Theresa May, Home Secretary:
Free Jonnie Marbles - Throwing pies is not a crime
Jonathan May-Bowles has been sentenced to 6 to 8 weeks in prison for throwing a foam pie at Rupert Murdoch.
The comedian and activist, also known as Jonnie Marbles, was convicted for assault and “causing harassment, alarm or distress” after he threw the polystrene plate covered in shaving foam at the end of the Commons Select Committee’s hearing into phone hacking at News International.
No-one was harmed or put in any physical danger. Murdoch had not wanted to press charges, but the court proceeded anyway.
District Judge Daphne Wickham, who sentenced Jonnie, is the same person who let Sgt Delroy Smellie off the hook for assaulting Nicola Fisher at the G20 protest where Ian Tomlinson was killed. Wickham ruled that Smellie’s behaviour was lawful despite clear video evidence of him striking Fisher with a baton.
Jonnie’s excessive sentence for a prank that hurt no one, committed by someone with no criminal record, against a man whose media empire has ruined lives, is yet more evidence of government crackdown on dissent. There are many people who should arguably be in jail for their role in the News International phone hacking affair, but Jonnie is not one of them.
We call for Jonnie to be released from prison immediately.
Initiated by Defend the Right to Protest.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
August 3, 2011
August 2, 2011
The disparity between this sentencing and the lack of accountability for the phone hacking scandal remains the focus of our efforts. I am currently compiling your feedback to include in a formal letter to the Home Office.
Reached 100 supporters
August 2, 2011
6 Comments
6 weeks for a pie? what a waste of tax money. murdoch didnt even care so why is the judge acting like this.
Free him. He made a point and did it without hurting anyone. The real criminals are the ones hacking phones.
Absolute hero. Someone had to show that guy he isnt untouchable.
Ridiculous punishment. He stood up to a man who basically controls the country. Free him now.
This whole thing stinks of corrupt judges. Justice is officially dead in the uk.
it was just shaving cream! total joke that this guy is in a cell while the phone hackers are walking free.
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6 weeks for a pie? what a waste of tax money. murdoch didnt even care so why is the judge acting like this.