Supporters of a woman jailed yesterday for her part in the Kill The Bill riots in Bristol a year ago have urged people to write to her in prison to show their support.
And the campaigners from the Bristol Anti-Repression Campaign said they were ‘proud’ of Jasmine York, who they said tried to protect women around her and claim she was ‘severely beaten’ by police during the clashes outside Bridewell Police Station last year.
Campaigners demonstrated outside Bristol Crown Court yesterday, Monday March 14, to show solidarity with the 26-year-old, before and after she was jailed for nine months for arson.
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Video footage shown in court showed York push a bin into an already on fire police van during the disturbances last March when protesters besieged Bridewell Police Station and clashed with police.
York was the latest person to be jailed for their part in the riot, although she was found not guilty of riot and also not guilty of a more serious arson charge at a trial last month.
In a statement, the campaigners said they are standing with all those who have been or are being prosecuted in relation to the Kill the Bill riot of March 21, including some who have received lengthy prison sentences.
The group said the sentences showed the legal system was in place to protect the state, and they ‘do not recognise the legitimacy’ of York’s sentence.
“Although we were hoping for a non-custodial sentence, this wasn't unexpected - the repression following Kill the Bill protests has been harsh,” the statement said. “The police and Judge Patrick are trying to send a message to anyone who takes a stand. Just last week, Mariella was sentenced to five and a half years in prison.
“We're proud of Jasmine, who tried hard to protect other women from the police. We're glad that she was found unanimously not guilty of riot, and also not guilty of a more serious form of arson in her trial last month.
“We do not recognise the legitimacy of this sentence. We recognise that the legal system is designed to maintain inequality, protect the police, and prevent political dissent,” they added.
“We know that the justice of the courts is a tool the state uses to preserve and defend itself. We see Jasmine's sentencing as part of the broader political repression following the Kill the Bill demonstrations, which has already seen 14 people receiving prison sentences - including one of 14 years - and many more awaiting trial. We stand in solidarity with them all, and with all people facing repression,” they added.
And the statement ended with a call for people to support York and other people jailed for the riot - as well as a message of defiance. “Please send letters to Jasmine and show her she is not alone! And continue to send letters to other prisoners, support other defendants as the trials continue, and organise. We won't go quietly and this is not the end. Collective self defence is our greatest weapon,” they added.
Sentencing York, Judge James Patrick rejected her claim she acted out of fear and highlighted that she herself admitted her behaviour “did not de-escalate events”, and said the fact she had returned to the scene of the disorder having previously left was an aggravating factor.
Addressing York directly, the judge said: “You were very aware of the damage caused to police equipment and property paid for out of national taxation for the benefit of the community. You played your part in the unlawfulness.”
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