Activists in Birmingham hosted the prominent pro-Palestine aid worker Majid Freeman days ahead of his trial where he faces accusations of expressing support for proscribed groups. His supporters claim he is being punished for “defending the Palestinians right to resist genocide.”
At an event titled “Majid Freeman vs The State: defending the right to resist genocide,” activists and supporters gathered to plan protests, discuss the case and encourage others to join the local effort to rally behind Freeman.
In 2024, Freeman, 36, was arrested and charged with encouragement of terrorist, and supporting a proscribed organisation. The comments were reportedly made by Freeman on X amid his outspoken condemnation of Zionism and Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.
Freeman is facing trial by jury from April 20 at Birmingham Crown Court and the trial could last two weeks or more.
Speaking about the case, Franck Magennis, barrister and co-director of Riverway to the Sea, said it was “outrageous” that Freeman is facing a terrorism trial over his comments on X.
“It is outrageous that he is being attacked by the Terrorism Act 2000, that piece of legislation is a grotesque affront to everyone’s freedom of speech. The act itself should be abolished.”
In a statement released online, CAGE International, which has been supporting Freeman throughout his case, said: “Majid is a British Muslim activist, and a charity aid worker. He has long served both local and international humanitarian causes, using his platform to raise awareness for those facing persecution and harm.
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“He is now facing a 10-day trial for speaking out and defending the Palestinian right to resist. If convicted, he could face up to 14 years in prison. This case raises serious concerns about freedom of speech and the right to advocate for Palestine. This is not just about one individual — it has wider implications for anyone who speaks out.”
Speaking at the Birmingham event alongside Freeman was Moazzam Begg, an author and human rights activist, who was famously held in Guantanamo Bay where he was abused while in detention on trumped-up charges related to terrorism.
He called for public support for Freeman amid ongoing lawfare being used against the Muslim community living in the West. Mr Begg is also facing trial in the UK after expressing support for the pro-Palestine direct action group Palestine Action in August 2025.
“The Prophet PBUH said: ‘When Allah SWT loves a people, he tests them.’ Right now on this planet we cannot see anyone being tested more than the Palestinians. And here in this country, those who are being tested for the past two decades plus are those who are targeted by the state under its plethora of anti-terror legislation. This isn’t about just a guy tweeting, this is about a guy with a heart, and we need to come out and support him anyway we can.”
The Terrorism Act 2000 is a UK law establishing a comprehensive, legal definition of terrorism and granting authorities extensive powers to combat it. It defines terrorism as the use or threat of serious violence, property damage, or disruption to electronic systems, designed to influence government or intimidate the public for political, religious or ideological causes.
However, legal experts and activists have complained that the law has been abused by various actors to stifle free speech, in particular, on controversial issues related to British foreign policy, the UK’s support for Israel and the Palestinian freedom struggle.
Armed factions in the Middle East have been proscribed in the UK, including Hamas – the political and military group which rules over Gaza, however, also non-violent organisations including a direct action group have been controversially banned in the UK. Palestine Action and Hizb ut-Tahrir are two prominent recent examples.
Sentences for breaching the Terrorism Act 2000 vary significantly by offence, with maximum penalties ranging from 6 months for minor infractions to 14 years in prison for serious proscription offences.
Past conviction squashed
In January, Freeman was fully exonerated after a court quashed his conviction for a public order offence following a retrial related to the 2022 Hindutva-inspired Leicester riots.
Freeman was jailed in 2024 after being convicted of “intending immediate unlawful violence” and using abusive words towards a police officer during the riots which were sparked amid growing tensions between Muslims and radical Hindus in the diverse city.
But on Jan 9, Judge Robert Brown at Leicester Crown Court found that there was no evidence to prove that conviction and actually praised Freeman for his positive work in the community.
“We have listened with great care to the evidence provided by Mr Freeman. As a witness he has impressed us. He was measured, restrained and showed humility when providing evidence. And it is apparent to us that he has been, on multiple occasions, a bridge-builder, working with the police, to ensure there was harmony in his community.
“We are not satisfied that the Crown has proven to us that Mr Freeman had acted with intent in relation to his conviction. We have allowed Mr Freeman his appeal against this conviction and we now quash that conviction.”
A prominent voice who defended Freeman throughout his legal battle is former MP Claudia Webbe who served as a Labour MP in Leicester (2019-2024) during the time of the riots. She didn’t appear in person for the retrial but a statement was read out to Judge Robert Brown.
“Majid is someone that I saw as a trusted mediator in the community whom I had previously contacted when incidents occurred. For example, I had contacted Majid on 30 August 2022 to obtain his understanding of the disorder that occurred on the night of Sunday 28 August 2022 in the Belgrave area of my then constituency of Leicester East.
“It is my impression that Majid Freeman is someone who seeks to bring harmony to communities. He was a community organiser doing good deeds. He is an anti-knife crime campaigner and has twice invited me to speak at major events that he had organised to prevent crime and knife crime in particular.”
