E. 80: Part 1 - Mothers of the Filton 24 and the Misuse of Anti-Terrorism Legislation

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What happens when two young university students decide they can no longer stand by while weapons made in Britain fuel a genocide? For Fatema Zainab and Zoe, both just barely in their twenties, the answer led them to a prison cell where they've remained for nine months – with no trial in sight until November.

The "Filton 18" case represents an unprecedented application of counter-terrorism powers against political activists in the UK. After Palestine Action protesters entered Elbit Systems' facility near Bristol to dismantle military equipment bound for Israel, they found themselves held in solitary confinement, interrogated under terrorism legislation, and treated like high-security threats despite having no previous convictions.

In this powerful episode, we hear from Clare and Sukaina, mothers who never imagined they'd become advocates for political prisoners in their own country. They share the devastating realities their daughters face: the Islamophobic treatment Fatema endured when her headscarf was forcibly removed, the psychological impact of isolation on Zoe's autism, and the bewildering experience of being denied bail despite meeting all the usual criteria.

Beyond the personal toll, the case raises alarming questions about civil liberties in Britain. UN experts have condemned the treatment as "enforced disappearance," while a Guardian investigation revealed troubling connections between the prosecution and the Israeli embassy. As one mother puts it: "This isn't just about the Filton 18. This is a moment in history where everyone needs to pay attention to the erosion of our rights to protest."

Credits

Guests: Clare Rogers & Sukaina Rajwani

Soundtrack: Particles (Revo Main Version) by [Coma-Media] 

Producer: Charlotte Janes

Reading from Fatema: https://www.threadings.io/youve-been-traumatized-into-hating/

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**this episode was recorded prior to the Filton 18 becoming the Filton 24**

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