{"id":407,"date":"2026-05-01T07:02:46","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T07:02:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/im-one-of-the-palestine-action-hunger-strikers-and-im-standing-for-election-from-behind-bars\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T07:02:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T07:02:46","slug":"im-one-of-the-palestine-action-hunger-strikers-and-im-standing-for-election-from-behind-bars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/im-one-of-the-palestine-action-hunger-strikers-and-im-standing-for-election-from-behind-bars\/","title":{"rendered":"I&#8217;m one of the Palestine Action hunger strikers, and I&#8217;m standing for election from behind bars"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">On Thursday, voters across England will <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/politics\/local-election-labour-losses-prediction-37088035\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">elect over 5,000 councillors<\/a> in around 3,000 wards, from tens of thousands of candidates. But only one of those candidates \u2013 Amu Gib \u2013 is in prison awaiting trial.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Prisoner number A1064FH is one of 17 candidates standing for the Islington Independents in the borough\u2019s Finsbury Park ward in London. A 30-year-old former <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/health\/private-hospital-patients-nhs-emergency-37065747\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">NHS patient<\/a> transport driver and bike mechanic, Gib, who is still recovering from the effects of a hunger strike, has been held for almost ten months without trial at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey with four other <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/palestine-action-ban-protest-arrests-36999484\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Palestine Action<\/a> activists.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Accused of breaking into an RAF air base and spray-painting two RAF Voyager planes, the \u2018Brize Norton 5\u2019 are alleged to have caused \u00a37 million worth of damage to aircraft the activists say is used to support <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/world-news\/keir-starmer-urged-suspend-uk-37087360\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Israeli<\/a> assaults on Gaza. Gib \u2013 who uses they\/them pronouns \u2013 is unable to use the internet in prison, and their phone time is limited, but this week we were able to communicate via a network of friends and family.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">They said they were taking inspiration from a model used by independent councillor Gary Donnelly in Derry, Northern Ireland, that would make it \u201cpossible to represent and advocate for people despite being in prison, while also having a practical group of people who are able to do the things that I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37091331\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37091331\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.78\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Damaged at RAF Brize Norton planes\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_skynews-brize-plane_6946806.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Two Voyager planes were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in June\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Two Voyager planes were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in June<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gib told me their resolve had been \u201chardened\u201d by imprisonment. \u201cNot to romanticise it,\u201d Gib said, \u201cbut I think it has deepened a sense of\u2026 the absurdity of just being able to be put in prison without a conviction.\u201d They added: \u201cYou\u2019re surrounded by people that the state has failed all the time \u2013 and you can see the people around you suffering the consequences of the <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/money\/3million-uk-households-going-without-37090138\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">cost-of-living crisis<\/a> or the decision to put loads of money into weapons instead of healthcare and housing. So, I think it just hardens your resolve to do something about it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gib recently ended a 48-day <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/world-news\/breaking-palestine-action-hunger-strike-36553205\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">hunger strike<\/a>, demanding the end of Israel-based defence firm Elbit Systems\u2019 operations in the UK. Hospitalised just before <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/christmas\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Christmas<\/a> as their health rapidly deteriorated after losing over 10kg in weight, they told me, \u201cthe prison guards bring the prison with them, so much so that you\u2019re chained to them when you\u2019re sleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gib called their hunger strike \u201cthe battle of the empty intestines\u201d, but said they are now recovering. \u201cMy conditions are not great. I\u2019m restricted by how much I can move because I\u2019m locked up in my cell 23 hours a day, but my body is otherwise recovering from the hunger strike.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But they said their co-defendant and fellow hunger-striker Umer Khalid, who is just 22, has been in a serious condition after experiencing organ failure. \u201cUmer has deteriorated and can now no longer walk,\u201d Gib said. \u201cI did feel really scared about the other hunger strikers, especially when I wasn\u2019t on hunger strike myself anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37091353\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37091353\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Amu Gib\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37091353.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_We-cannot-let-the-unconvicted-Palestine-Hunger-Strikers-die-we-must-not-replicate-Thatchers-crue.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Amu Gib recently ended a 48-day hunger strike\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Amu Gib recently ended a 48-day hunger strike<cite aria-label=\"Image: Prisoners for Palestine\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Prisoners for Palestine)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Now, campaigners from the writer Sally Rooney to activist <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/greta-thunbergs-arrest-explained-government-36452347\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Greta Thunberg<\/a> have appealed to the judge to grant Gib bail today at a hearing at the Old Bailey. \u201cAmu\u2019s continued detention is not only illogical and unjust, it is obstructing their ability to exercise their democratic rights,\u201d they said in an open letter signed by thousands. \u201cThey should be on the streets of Finsbury Park, talking to voters.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Prosecutors have justified the detention of the Brize Norton 5 beyond the normal legal limit of six months for pre-trial custody by alleging links to \u201cterrorism\u201d, as a result of the proscription of Palestine Action in July 2025. Alongside Gib and Khalid, Jon Cink, 25, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie, 36, and Lewie Chiaramello, 23, have all been charged under the National Security Act. Amnesty International UK says, \u201cterrorism powers should never have been used to aggravate criminal charges against Palestine Action activists.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gib has pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to destroy property and conspiracy to \u201center a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the safety and\/or interests of the UK\u201d. The latter charge has a maximum jail term of 14 years. I asked Gib what they missed most in prison. \u201cI\u2019m missing being able to laugh with my loved ones in an un-surveilled environment,\u201d they said. \u201cI\u2019m dreaming of being able to walk to the top of a hill and run back down it, and swimming in clean rivers (solidarity with River Action and their legal case against Natural Resources Wales for polluting the River Wye). And, of course, dreaming of the day we Shut Elbit Down and close down all US-UK airbases.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In one post on the Prisoners for Palestine website, Gib writes: \u201cI\u2019m afraid of hunger, of losing people, of having nothing to lose, of rivers running dry, of poisoned land, of forest fires, of the invention, manufacture, and release of bombs that can evaporate people and leave holes in the earth where they stood. I\u2019m scared of our silence, and what its apparently possible to normalise. I\u2019m scared of what we can stomach.\u201d<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37091329\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37091329\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.78\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Two military planes\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37091329.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_A-security-review-has-been-launched-across-UK-military-bases-after-pro-Palestinian-activists-broke-i.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Two military planes sprayed red paint by Pro-Palestinian activists \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Two military planes sprayed red paint by Pro-Palestinian activists <\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">For Gib, their experience since their arrest has been one of painful ironies. \u201cA bunch of masked men pulled us out of bed, made us put shoes on, and then walked us along a tow path for 15 minutes in darkness and total silence,\u201d Gib said. \u201cThey told me to be careful not to trip on my laces.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI was thinking how it was kind of ironic that I was now their responsibility, and it was up to them to make sure that I didn\u2019t get hurt, not because they cared about me, but because they didn\u2019t want the paperwork.\u201d Now they say they \u201ccan only laugh\u201d as they face the irony of being democratically elected while detained under terror laws slammed by campaigners as authoritarian.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The former <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/small-boat-crossings-deaths-channel-36988106\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Calais<\/a> refugee volunteer grew up in Finsbury Park, attending local schools. \u201cAmu will be a great councillor,\u201d says Ilkay Cinko-Oner, Independent Councillor for Laycock Ward. \u201cI know this because they will bring the same courage to fighting for the residents of Finsbury Park.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In a message recorded from inside prison on their 30th birthday, Gib had one wish. \u201cThat every year of my life will act as a handful of sand in the gears of this imperialist killing machine. And that we live to see the day it eventually, inevitably, grinds to a halt. Free Palestine.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">They quoted from Omar El Akkad\u2019s book \u2018Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This\u2019: \u201cThere is no such thing as someone else\u2019s children\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A week today, the residents of Finsbury Park ward will decide whether or not Amu Gib will become the first English politician to be elected from behind bars.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/politics\/im-one-palestine-action-hunger-37091124\" target=\"_blank\">Source link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Thursday, voters across England will elect over 5,000 councillors in around 3,000 wards, from<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1_unnamed-47.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=407"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/407\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}