Independent MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, and MEPs Rima Hassan and Marc Botenga have been joined by the Green Party’s Mothin Ali and dozens of Independent and Green candidates and councillors in an appeal to the judge to grant bail to Amu Gib ahead of a hearing at the Old Bailey on Friday 1 May. The former hunger striker, who has been detained on remand since July 2025 in relation to alleged involvement in the protest action at RAF Brize Norton which triggered the controversial ban on Palestine Action, is running for a seat on Islington Council. [1]
In a letter to be published on the Protest is not Terrorism website [2] which has also been backed by authors Sally Rooney and Andrew Feinstein, journalist Matt Kennard, and activist Greta Thunberg, over 250 signatories say:
“Amu’s continued detention is not only illogical and unjust, it is obstructing their ability to exercise their democratic rights. They should be on the streets of Finsbury Park, talking to voters and spreading the word about their campaign pledges to fight for welfare not warfare, homes with dignity and empowerment for young people.”
Green and Islington Community Independent candidates who are standing against each other in the closely-watched elections have united behind the call for Amu to be granted bail.
Benali Hamdache, Leader of the Opposition on Islington Council and Green Councillor for Highbury Ward said:
“Amu has faced detention for far longer than is expected. Imprisonment without trial is unjust and unfair. Allowing Amu to participate in the democratic process and to take their case to the electorate would be some remedy. It is time for bail to be granted.”
Ilkay Cinko-Oner, Leader of Islington Community Independents and Independent Councillor for Laycock Ward said:
“Islington Community Independents are proud that Amu Gib is running as one of our candidates. Amu will be a great councillor. I know this because they will bring the same courage it took to stand up to the government to fighting for the residents of Finsbury Park. They need to be on the doorstep campaigning for welfare not warfare; no more evictions, rent controls and more funding for education along with the rest of us, not detained without trial.”
The bail application comes days after campaigners sounded the alarm over the restrictions faced by Amu and conditions for others detained in the same case. Amu’s post and books have been regularly withheld or delayed for months, according to friends and loved ones. [3] Umer Khalid, another of the Brize Norton Five, has recently been denied medical bail, and his family are campaigning for him to have access to a wheelchair in prison [4].
Amu’s bail application has garnered widespread support, with elected representatives and candidates from Hackney, Haringey, Ealing, Waltham Forest, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Croydon as well as Belfast, Brighton, Norwich, Preston among the signatories.
Gerry Carroll, MLA for West Belfast said:
“Amu Gib endured a 49-day hunger strike, helped force the cancellation of a £2 billion Elbit Systems contract and is currently being held on remand under anti-terror laws that the High Court has already ruled unlawful. That is exactly the kind of fighter communities need on Islington Council. The British state has done everything in its power to silence Amu, including imprisonment beyond the normal legal limits, but none of it has worked. A vote for Amu is proof that solidarity cannot be caged. I’m proud to back their campaign and urge every voter in Finsbury Park to do the same.”
[1] For details on Amu Gib’s election campaign, please see their election website https://twobrickscommunity.wordpress.com/ and instagram account https://www.instagram.com/amugib4liberation/; email electamugib@proton.me
[2] The Protest is not Terrorism website was set up in July 2025 to host the open letter on the proscription of Palestine Action signed by over 1700 people: https://protestisnotterrorism.uk/
[3] Action alert for Amu https://www.instagram.com/freebrizenorton5/; Letter writing campaign for Amu https://actionnetwork.org/letters/email-bronzefield-amu
[4] Statement from Free Umer Khalid https://www.instagram.com/freeumerkhalid/p/DXaA_zRDkMc/
Open Letter: Set Amu free to join their election campaign
Add your name here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/open-letter-set-amu-free-to-join-their-election-campaign
For nearly ten months Amu Gib has been imprisoned on remand while waiting for trial on charges of alleged involvement in an action at Brize Norton airbase in 2025. Prosecutors have justified their detention far beyond the normal legal limit of six months for pre-trial custody by claiming links to “terrorism” as a result of the proscription of Palestine Action in July 2025. Along with other members of the Brize Norton 5 (Umer, Jon, Daniel, and Lewie) Amu has been charged under the National Security Act.
The government’s unprecedented ban on Palestine Action has been widely condemned by human rights and civil liberties organisations, opposed by the trade union movement and challenged by thousands of peaceful protesters. In February 2026, the High Court ruled that proscription was unlawful.
Amu is now standing for election to Islington Council in Finsbury Park ward, where they grew up. Amu’s continued detention is not only illogical and unjust, it is obstructing their ability to exercise their democratic rights. They should be on the streets of Finsbury Park, talking to voters and spreading the word about their campaign pledges to fight for welfare not warfare, homes with dignity and empowerment for young people.
The brutal bombardment of Iran and Lebanon, coupled with genocidal threats and actions by Trump and Netanyahu demonstrates why Amu’s call to action for a world without war and racism deserves to be heard now.
We call for Amu’s immediate release on bail.
Signatures (5 May 2026)
National and regional elected representatives
- Jeremy Corbyn, MP Islington North
- Zarah Sultana, MP Coventry South
- Rima Hassan, MEP
- Marc Botenga, MEP
- Mothin Ali, Deputy Leader, Green Party
- Gerry Carroll, MLA for West Belfast, People Before Profit
- Caroline Russell, Member London Assembly, Green Party
- Richard Boyd Barrett, Member, Dáil Éireann, People Before Profit-Solidarity
- Paul Murphy, Member, Dáil Éireann, People Before Profit-Solidarity
Local elected representatives and candidates
- Ash Ahmed, candidate, Seven Sisters, Green Party
- Elmedina Baptista-Mendes, candidate, Tollington, Islington, Green Party
- Amelia Bottomley, candidate, Barnsbury, Islington, Green Party
- Patrick Brighty, candidate, Arsenal ward, Islington, Green Party
- Paul Burnham, candidate, Bruce Grove, Haringey Socialist Alliance
- Sarah Byrne, candidate, London Fields, Hackney Independent Socialist Collective
- Mads Churchhouse, candidate, Bow East, Green Party
- Ilkay Cinko-Oner, Leader, Islington Community Independents; Candidate, Laycock Ward, Islington, Islington Community Independents
- Michael Collins, Councillor, Belfast City Council, People Before Profit
- Amelie Cooper, candidate, Bruce Castle, Haringey Socialist Alliance
- Alison Davy, candidate, Northumberland Park, Haringey Socialist Alliance
- Brian Debus, candidate, Hackney Central, TUSC
- Felicity De Motta, candidate, Haringey, Green Party
- Aidan Dempsey, candidate, Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni, Green Party
- Alexi Dimond, Councillor, Gleadless Valley, Green Party
- Jo Dowbor, candidate, Arsenal ward, Islington, Green Party
- Bob Ensch, candidate, South Cambridgeshire, Green Party
- Mica Evans, candidate, South Acton, Ealing Community Independents
- Alex Forbes, candidate, Colliers Wood ward, Independent
- Amanda Fox, Councillor, Mancroft, Norwich, Green Party
- Jay Ginn, candidate, Coulsdon Town, Green Party
- Philip Graham, Councillor, Islington, Bunhill ward, Independent
- Anne M Gray, candidate, Haringey, Green Party
- Benali Hamdache, Councillor, Highbury; Leader of the opposition, Islington Council, Green Party
- Faaiz Hasan, candidate, Harrow Road ward, Westminster, Green Party
- Alana Heaney, candidate, Homerton, Hackney Independent Socialist Collective
- Mark Hollinrake, candidate, Kingsway, Rochdale , Green Party
- Maria Joannou, Councillor, Nottingham City, Labour Party
- Daniel Johnson, candidate, Bruce Castle, Green Party
- Nathaniel Jones, candidate, Holloway ward, Islington Community Independents
- Sheridan Kates, candidate, Tufnell Park, Islington, Green Party
- Tehseen Khan, candidate, Tottenham Hale, Haringey Socialist Alliance
- Jorge Latter, candidate, Canonbury ward, Green Party
- Michael Lavalette, Councillor Lancashire County, Preston Central East, TUSC
- Sharon Matthew, candidate, Islington, Independent
- Liam McQuade, candidate, Tower Hamlets, Green Party
- Gary McFarlane, candidate, Northumberland Park, Haringey Socialist Alliance
- Tina Moonen, candidate, Pitshanger, Ealing Community Independents
- Mel Mullings, candidate, Thornton Heath, RMT/ BLM Croydon
- Ruth O’Dowd, candidate, Junction ward, Islington Community Independents
- Faith Obiaka-Hayward, candidate, Junction ward, Islington Community Independents
- Nick Parker, candidate, Carholme ward, Lincoln, TUSC
- Mohammed Iqbal Pathan, candidate, Plaistow, Newham Independents
- Laura Pearce, candidate, Walthamstow Forest, Hoe Street, Green Party
- Kerry Pickett, Councillor Brighton & Hove City Council, Green Party
- Pat Prendergast, candidate, Junction ward, Islington Community Independents
- Chris Radway, candidate, Canonbury, Islington, Green Party
- Jahangir Raina, candidate, Norwood Green , Green Party
- Carl Russell, candidate, Walpole, Ealing Community Independents
- Ceren Sagir, candidate, Cazenove, Hackney, Independent
- Deb Scott, candidate, West Ham, Green Party
- Jessica Sibley, candidate, Clare, Green Party
- John Sinha, candidate, West Green, Haringey Socialist Alliance
- Mackenzie Smallman, Member of UK Youth Parliament for Wythenshawe, Manchester, MYP
- Huw Thomas, Councillor Torridge District Council, Green Party
- Helen Tucker, Councillor, Cockermouth North, Green Party
- Georgia Twigg, candidate, St Anns, Haringey, Green Party
- Meryem Ulger, candidate, West Green, Haringey Socialist Alliance
- Callum Waterhouse, candidate, Hillrise , Islington Community Independents
- Russell Whiting, Councillor, Colwick Ward, Gedling Borough Council, Broxtowe Independent Alliance
- Sue Wheat, candidate, Chapel End, Waltham Forest, Green Party
- Sadiq Yusuf, candidate, Finsbury park ward, Independent
- Anahita Zardoshti, candidate, Holloway ward, Islington Community Independents
Other launch signatories
- Andrew Feinstein, Activist
- Matt Kennard, Journalist
- Sally Rooney, Author
- Greta Thunberg, Activist
Individual signatories (5 May)
| David Addy, Totnes |
| Mary Adshead, Islington |
| Anne Alexander, UCU |
| Carlene Alexander |
| Nadim Ali, Eastwood |
| Rosalind Amor, Clare |
| Penny Avant |
| Zahrah Awaleh, RISC member/ Unite, London & Eastern Health |
| Mio Bach |
| Ariane Bankes |
| Sue Bean, Unite the union. |
| Teresa Belton |
| Amanda Bentham, NEU, Hackney North |
| Michael Bentley, Unite |
| Michael Bindon, Rush liffe |
| Justin Blakebrough |
| Pamela Blakelock, NEU, Southwark |
| L Scott Blankenship, UCU |
| Karla Bohn, NEU, Colchester |
| Monica Bolton |
| Phil Brand, UNISON |
| Celia Briar |
| Diana Brighouse, Chichester |
| Juliette Brown, BMA/ Doctor, Waltham Forest |
| Mandy Brown, UCU, Tower Hamlets |
| Michelle Brown |
| Lesley Bryan, Southend East and Rochford |
| Darren Burling |
| Amanda Carter |
| Ceri Carter |
| Sophie Caton |
| Caroline Cattermole, Kendal/South Lakes |
| Dalawar Chaudhry, IWGB/ Social worker, Ealing |
| Shaista Chishty |
| Mark Colpus |
| John Compton |
| Allan Connal |
| Jack Conway, NEU, Wigan |
| Jane Creagh-Osborne, Unite Community |
| Steve Cushion, UCU, Leyton and Wanstead |
| Suzanne De Celis |
| James Dickins, UCU, Headingley and Hyde Park |
| Andrew Dodd, Old Moat |
| Michael Donovan |
| Noreen Donovan, Richmond |
| Eddie Dougall, BECTU, Waveney Valley |
| Dr Gen Doy |
| Allison Drew, UCU |
| John Drury, UCU |
| Sandra Dyer, Nurse |
| Geoff Earl, Nurse |
| Susan Edwards, Unite |
| Monette Eiliazadeh, Nurses for Palestine |
| Lizzie Eldridge, Writer, Glasgow |
| Elizabeth Elliott |
| Suzanne Elliott, Unite, Nottingham East |
| Rick Evans, Unite, North Warwickshire |
| Gareth Evans, Bectu |
| Harriet Evans, UCU, Hampstead and Highgate |
| Chris Faulkner |
| Lorna Finlayson, UCU |
| Derek Flockton |
| Jonathan Fluxman, Doctors in Unite, Brent |
| Syd Foster |
| Sophie Franklin |
| Martin Franklin |
| Marika Fusser |
| Katerina Gargaroni, Unite the Union |
| Richard Garratt, NEU |
| Simon Garrett, Unite |
| Élaina Gauthier-Mamaril, UCU Sheffield, Sheffield Central |
| Danny Gazzi |
| Dr Mary Gibbs, BMA, Rusholme, Manchester |
| Nick Gilbert, UCU |
| John Goodby, Former UCU, Ouseburn Ward, Wetherby and Easingwold |
| Magdalen Gorringe |
| Ruth Gould |
| Winmarie Greenland, NEU Retired member |
| Chris Griffin |
| Nazam Guffoor |
| Steve Hale, Ludlow |
| Peter Hallward, UCU |
| Ian Halverson |
| Dhruv Haria |
| Steve Hartman |
| Caroline Hartnell |
| Paul Haskell-Cooper |
| Rosemary Haworth-Booth, Swimbridge, North Devon |
| Danny Hayward, Hackney |
| Charlotte Head |
| Jonathan Hill, Canterbury |
| Pete Hirst |
| Nick Hodgkinson |
| Brian Holland, UCU, Brightside and Hillsborough |
| Mike Hope, UNITE |
| Cherie Hughes |
| Augusta Hull |
| Rama Hussein |
| Alejandro Iznajar Madero, UCB |
| Steve Jansky, Nottingham East |
| Rich Johnstone |
| Richard Jones, Unison |
| Léona Kamio |
| Kathy Karavas, Unite, Lambeth |
| Surinder Kaur, UNISON |
| Ghzala Kauser |
| Hannah Keal, York Outer |
| Frances Kelly |
| Kieran Khalid |
| Rebecca Kowalski |
| Karl Krish |
| Michael Lacey, Woodley and Earley |
| Alan Lafferty, UCU |
| Nandita Lal |
| Steve Lawless |
| Nicholas Lawrence, UCU Warwick |
| Emma Lea |
| Michael Letwin, Brooklyn |
| Mark Levene, Emeritus Fellow, University of Southampton |
| Simon Lewis |
| Amber Lewis |
| Fred Lindop, UCU |
| Jenny Lindvall, Unite |
| James Loftus |
| Michael Loughlin, Ormskirk |
| Diana M Neslen, Unite the community, Cranbrook Ward Ilford North |
| Babs MacGregor |
| Moshé Machover, Brighton & Hove Trades Council, Unite, Brighton Kemptown |
| Calla Mackintosh |
| John Maguire |
| Maryam Mahmoud, Vauxhall |
| Deborah Mallender, Newcastle under Lyme |
| Margaret Manning, UNITE, Rusholme |
| Lindsey March |
| Pamela Martin |
| John McCartney, Unison, Edinburgh West |
| Jack McGinn, Hackney Independent Socialist Collective, Hackney |
| Sheila McGregor, NEU, Bow West |
| Roseanne McNamee, IVU, Gorton & Dentom |
| Heather Mendick, Unite, Hackney |
| Angie Mindel |
| Rob Mitchell, UNISON, Bristol |
| Ayo Moiett, Doctor |
| Juliet Molteno |
| Filipa Monjardino |
| Joy Moore |
| Elizabeth Morley |
| Roy Morris, NEU, Broomhill, Sheffield |
| Ruth Muller |
| Robert Munton, UVW, Forest Ward |
| Jason Noble |
| Cristy North, Nottingham |
| Irmgard Nunwa |
| Martha Nyman |
| Simon O’Hara, Warwickshire NEU, Warwick |
| Alisha Oner |
| Agata Ostaszewska |
| Sue Owen, UNITE |
| Bhanu P |
| Abdul Paliwala, Leamington & Warwick |
| Sara Palmer, Torbay |
| Angela Panks, UCU |
| Chrys Papaioannou, Haringey, London |
| Wendy Patterson |
| Roshan Pedder |
| Maggie Pegler |
| Maria Perez, Great Horton |
| Max Phillips |
| Susan Pritchard |
| Ali Raiss-Tousi |
| Mary Reape, Unite Commumity, North East Derbyshire |
| Stephanie Rivers |
| John Robertson, Unison |
| John Rogers, Unison, Sheffield Heeley |
| Sarah Rose |
| Leon Rosseson |
| Caroline Royds, Islington |
| Sinéad Rushe, UCU/ Theatre Director, Haringey |
| Ann-Marie Saward |
| Miriam Scharf, NEU Officer, Newham |
| Patrick Scott, Unite Community |
| Amanda Sebestyen, NUJ, Camden , St Pancras & Somers Town |
| Barbara Segal, UCU, Bristol East |
| Dan Segal |
| Malcolm Segall, Islington |
| Jane Shallice, NEU |
| Genevieve Shanahan |
| Virginia Shaw, Unison, York Outer |
| Rosalyn Shaw |
| Martin Shaw |
| Gabriel Silvano |
| Dee Simpson, Kinson, Bournemouth |
| Jeremy Sims, Unite, Lyme Regis |
| Simon Smith |
| James Smith, Doctor |
| Irene Sotiropoulou |
| Lubna Speitan, Artist |
| Urmilla Stoughton |
| Roger Sturge, Aspect, Bristol NW |
| William (Steve) Sydenham |
| Monika Szlenkier, Worthing West |
| Susan Talbot, Unison – retired member, Wakefield |
| Inbar Tamari, NEU, Walthamstow |
| Peter Tatchell, Director, Peter Tatchell Foundation, London |
| Kate Taylor, Thornbury and Yate |
| Maggie Toffolo |
| Lee Towers, UCU, Bingley |
| Paul Trees |
| Myka Tucker-Abramson, Warwick UCU, Coventry South |
| Fay Turner |
| Meryem Ulger, Haringey Socialist Alliance, West green ward |
| Jessica Upton |
| Dr Penny Vera-Sanso, Victoria Ward, Hackney |
| Ben Verboom |
| Margaret Vicuna |
| Rachel von Goetz |
| Daniel Vulliamy, UNITE, Ex Labour BLP and CLP Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, Bridlington and Wolds |
| Hilary Wainwright, Unite/NUJ |
| Lynda Walker, UCU, North Belfast |
| Lorna Walker |
| Ella Ward |
| Esme Waterfield, Islington North |
| Janet Watson, UCU |
| Stephanie Webber, Artists Union England |
| Tony Whelan, UCU, Hackney South |
| Niall Whelehan |
| Richard Wild, UCU |
| Maya Williams, Hackney |
| Sarah Windrum |
| Richard Wistreich, UCU |
| Elizabeth Wood, Unite Community, North Devon |
| Pam Wortley |
What you can do:
- Add your name here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/open-letter-set-amu-free-to-join-their-election-campaign
- Signatures will be updated over the coming days.
Protest is not Terrorism 
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