Image courtesy of Chris Haughton

Chris Haughton, a children’s book author, was charged on terrorism offenses in 2025 for holding a placard in support of proscribed group Palestine Action. On January 12 this year, when he appeared in court on the charges, he refused to answer the judge’s questions and instead read a statement that included the names of the estimated 18,500 children who have been killed in Gaza. As he began to read the long list of names, he was ejected from the court by security.

While he was waiting to be called in court, Haughton drew some of the others appearing on the same charges. Here, he depicts Maeve, who had come from Belfast for her plea hearing. She wore a red jumpsuit like the ones worn by those who allegedly broke into a factory owned by Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems in 2025.

In this simple pencil drawing – a notable diversion from court drawings, with their emotional faces, overlaid lines, and often garish colours – the only elements are Maeve, the judge, four observers, and the enormous coat of arms of the United Kingdom. It would be funny, if it wasn’t so serious. At least 254 people have been charged with publicly supporting Palestine Action, and those who allegedly broke into Elbit have been waiting in prison for over a year, still unsentenced.