Two activists who damaged a glass cabinet holding the Crown of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny at Edinburgh Castle during a protest against food poverty have avoided jail. Jamie Priest, 26, and Catriona Roberts, 22, both students, targeted the cabinet as part of a protest linked to the campaign group, This is Rigged. The incident, which took place on November 15 last year, saw the pair pleading guilty to causing malicious damage at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and were subsequently acquitted of breaching the peace.
During the protest, the court heard that a tour guide heard the activists shout, “This is a peaceful protest,” as they damaged the cabinet. Following the incident, This is Rigged released a statement highlighting their belief that “food is a human right” and that “hunger is a political choice.” The court was informed that the damage caused to the protective glass housing the relics amounted to nearly £3,000.
Roberts and another activist were seen striking the cabinet with a pinch hammer and chisel, while Roberts also vocalised phrases related to food insecurity and the cost of baby products. In their defence, Roberts emphasised that the protest was not carried out with malice towards the historical artefacts, but to draw attention to the issue of food insecurity in Scotland.
Priest, who uses the pronoun “they,” was defended by solicitor Steven Donald, who highlighted the activists’ intentions to raise awareness about the cost-of-living crisis and the affordability of baby products. Both activists were sentenced to unpaid work, with Priest receiving 120 hours and Roberts 180 hours. Sheriff Alistair Noble acknowledged their motivation but stressed that their actions, although part of a peaceful protest, still amounted to criminal damage.
The activists’ protest sheds light on the important issue of food poverty in Scotland and the lengths some individuals are willing to go to raise awareness about social injustice. While their actions resulted in criminal charges, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by many in accessing basic necessities like food and the importance of addressing these issues at a systemic level.