Radio ReOrient 14:4: The Coconut Trial with Marieha Hussain, hosted by Fatima Rajina and Stephen Lawrence Research Centre

About this episode

Marieha Hussain discusses her experience with the Coconuts trial and the implications of language policing in activism.

In this episode, Dr Fatima Rajina is joined by Marieha Hussain to talk about her experience of the Coconuts trial. A case that saw the political activist being charged with, and eventually proven innocent of, a racially aggravated public order offence for showcasing a satirical placard labelling Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman as “coconuts” prompting the fundamental question “Who has the right to police your language”? In November 2023, Marieha was arrested for displaying a placard labelling prominent exponents of the then-Tory government as “coconuts” during a pro-Palestine protest. According to the charges put on her, the term coconut was equivalent to a racist slur. Yet, Black and Brown activists have historically used it to call out members of their communities who aligned with colonial powers and white supremacists. This episode was initially aired by Stephen Lawrence Research Centre Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/islamic-studies

People in this episode

Host: Fatima Rajina

Guest: Marieha Hussain

Topics covered

• Coconuts trial
• racially aggravated public order offence
• political activism
• language policing
• pro-Palestine protest

Keywords

• Coconuts trial
• Marieha Hussain
• Fatima Rajina
• language policing
• racial slur
• pro-Palestine protest
• activism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Stephen Lawrence Research Centre

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