Background

On 1st April 2009 the peaceful activist artists the Space Hijackers took part in the G20 Summit demonstrations dressed in boiler suits and helmets with a mock armoured personnel carrier. All 11 demonstrators present were subsequently arrested with a charge of impersonating police officers.

It was alleged that the demonstrators entered the City of London wearing police uniforms in the armoured vehicle with the intention to deceive the public into believing they were members of the Police force.

The Space Hijackers describe themselves as ‘Anarchitects’ and part of their manifesto is to challenge and provoke discussion through peaceful public performance.  Despite the Metropolitan Police already facing criticism for their heavy-handedness during the protest they proceeded with the charges despite being urged by MPs and senior legal experts to withdraw the prosecution. Hodge Jones & Allen represented the Space Hijackers against whom all charges were dropped after four hearings by January 2010.

Result

Throughout this time Byfield secured over 40 pieces of editorial coverage in support of the peaceful protestors’ cause in the national and regional press.  This included quotes from Partner Raj Chada in The Sunday Times, the Evening Standard and on the BBC News website.