It has been a harrowing three months for Clare Rogers, the mother of 21-year-old Zoe Rogers, one of the activists now facing serious charges after protesting UK ties to Israeli arms manufacturing. Zoe, along with nine other members of Palestine Action, has been detained on charges stemming from a direct action against an Elbit Systems facility in Bristol, linked to Israel’s largest arms manufacturer.
Zoe is currently in prison awaiting trial in November 2025, where she faces charges of criminal damage, violent disorder, and aggravated burglary. Additionally, the group of activists could be charged with terrorism-related offences, a move that has drawn significant concern from their families and human rights groups, who argue that these young protesters are being unfairly treated as criminals rather than as advocates for human rights.
Zoe’s mother, Clare, describes the situation as a “new normal” that has left her struggling to come to terms with the idea of her daughter being treated as a political prisoner in the UK. “Just the phrase ‘UK political prisoners’ is very hard to get your head around,” Clare said. “But that’s exactly what they are—political prisoners.”
The Filton10, as the group is commonly known, carried out a protest against Elbit Systems in August 2023, disabling equipment intended for use in Gaza, including drones designed to mimic the cries of distressed children to lure civilians into harm’s way. Their action was a response to the UK’s involvement in arming Israel during the ongoing violence in Gaza, which they felt had not been adequately addressed by traditional protests.
Zoe and her fellow activists have been subjected to harsh conditions while in custody. Clare Rogers recounts that her daughter was initially denied phone calls for nearly two weeks and placed in solitary confinement for two months at HMP Bronzefield, where she was only allowed limited interaction with other inmates. Zoe, who is autistic, found this isolation particularly difficult. Despite these challenges, conditions have reportedly improved after persistent complaints and growing public pressure, including an online petition that has gained over 26,000 signatures.
The family’s concerns have been heightened by revelations of potential political interference in the activists’ arrests. Documents obtained by Palestine Action suggest that government officials held meetings with Elbit Systems ahead of the protests, discussing ways to crackdown on activists. These findings raise serious questions about the use of counterterrorism laws against peaceful protesters, and the potential for political and corporate pressure influencing the prosecution of these activists.
Clare Rogers and the families of the Filton10 have launched a campaign to stop the use of anti-terror laws against Palestine solidarity activists and to hold officials accountable for any undue political or foreign influence on the case. The families are calling for the immediate release of the activists and are seeking to prevent their criminalization under these controversial laws.
With the trial scheduled for November 2025, the families continue to fight not only for their loved ones’ freedom but also for the broader issue of political activism and protest rights in the UK.
