Activists sat silently outside Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday as part of a nationwide protest defending the right of jurors.

Defend Our Juries has led the events outside courts this week. 

The organisation seeks to defend the right of jurors to acquit defendants based on their conscience – regardless of the directions which have been given to them by the judge.

Many were protesting this right outside the crown court in Ipswich on Thursday, in support of Trudi Warner, a retired social worker who was arrested in March 2023 for allegedly doing the same outside court in London.

Ms Warner, 69, will appear before the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday, charged with contempt of court, after she held up a sign highlighting the principle of jury equity outside the Old Bailey.

Ipswich Star: The protesters said they were there to highlight the right of jurors to vote with conscience.The protesters said they were there to highlight the right of jurors to vote with conscience. (Image: Newsquest)Ipswich Star: Protester Tina Stark held a sign which read: “The right of juries… to give their verdict according to their convictions.” Protester Tina Stark held a sign which read: “The right of juries… to give their verdict according to their convictions.” (Image: Newsquest)Ipswich Star: The protesters sat silently on the pathway leading to Ipswich Crown Court. The protesters sat silently on the pathway leading to Ipswich Crown Court. (Image: Newsquest)Ipswich Star: The protesters said that they had received support from a barrister and a lawyer as they made their way into court. The protesters said that they had received support from a barrister and a lawyer as they made their way into court. (Image: Newsquest)

The protesters in Ipswich explained that the sign Ms Warner bore similar slogans to many of their own, which set out the rights of juries – direction which is given to them inside of courts.

“Jurors have an absolute right to acquit a defendant according to their conscience,” read one, while another said: “The right of juries… to give their verdict according to their convictions.”

“The right to a trial by jury and our justice system, the right to a fair trial, is fundamental to being British,” said protester Tina Smith.

Fellow protester, Tina Stark, agreed. “Being part of a jury is something most of us will be called to do. It is important that people are reminded that they are allowed to vote according to their conscience. People shouldn’t be condemned for holding up a sign that is quoted inside the court building,” she said.

Supporter and organiser Zoe Flint said the protest had attracted support from a cross section of the public and members of the law profession near the building.