📣🚨 New FSU Member Testimonial
“I would like to thank the Free Speech Union on behalf of my husband and our family. Without their support, expertise and commitment, I genuinely do not believe James would be home with us today.”
In the latest instalment of our FSU Member Testimonial series, Rebecca Cooper shares her husband James’s story.
In the wake of the horrific Southport murders in 2024, James attended a protest outside a Holiday Inn housing asylum seekers. He was also concerned by reports that some male asylum seekers had allegedly exposed themselves to young children in a local park.
Unlike some of the other protesters, James was not involved in any violence. Nevertheless, he was charged with violent disorder under Section 2 of the Public Order Act — an offence carrying a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.
Prosecutors argued that James had committed violent disorder simply by being present at the protest, shouting remarks such as “shithouses” and “What would you do if it was one of your kids?”, and engaging in a robust exchange with a police officer after attempting to leave when the protest ceased to be peaceful. They claimed this amounted to using or threatening violence.
It was an extraordinarily weak case. Giving evidence, James firmly denied using or threatening violence and said he had shouted at officers because of what he viewed as their heavy-handed approach.
On 1 June 2026, a jury acquitted James of all charges.
The verdict is another reminder of the importance of jury trials — a safeguard that this Government is seeking to restrict.
The Free Speech Union was proud to support James throughout his case and delighted that he is now back home with his wife and family.
Public order offences are increasingly being used in ways that risk criminalising legitimate protest and dissent.
Join the Free Speech Union today and watch
@JamieCoope65730’s story👇