Former leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), Colum Eastwood, is due to appear in court on Tuesday in connection with a charge related to his participation in a pro-Gaza rally held in Derry last year.
The sitting Foyle MP is expected to face a district judge at Derry Magistrates’ Court, where he will be formally charged with taking part in an unnotified public parade. The charge arises under Northern Ireland legislation governing public processions and demonstrations.
The event in question took place on 14 February 2024 and was held at the War Memorial located in the Diamond area of Derry city centre. Following a series of speeches, participants proceeded to walk to the city’s Guildhall in what has been described as a peaceful and orderly demonstration in solidarity with the people of Gaza.
According to the legal framework in Northern Ireland, public processions must be notified in advance to the Parades Commission — the body responsible for regulating marches, parades, and similar events. The requirement is aimed at ensuring public safety, managing community relations, and allowing the authorities to make necessary arrangements.
Mr Eastwood is among several individuals due to appear in court over the same incident. Charges have been brought on the basis that the event had not been formally registered with the Commission, thus breaching legal notification protocols.
The SDLP has declined to comment ahead of Mr Eastwood’s court appearance, but it is understood that the party is monitoring the situation closely. Mr Eastwood, who has been an MP since 2017 and previously led the SDLP from 2015 to 2023, has long been a prominent voice on international human rights issues, including the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Supporters of the former party leader, as well as pro-Palestinian campaigners, have rallied behind him in the lead-up to Tuesday’s hearing. The Derry branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) has organised a protest outside the courthouse on Tuesday morning, calling for the charges to be dropped.
A spokesperson for the group said: “This is a clear case of political policing. Peaceful protest and solidarity with oppressed people around the world should never be criminalised. Colum Eastwood stood up for the people of Gaza, and now he’s being dragged before the courts. That’s unjust.”
The spokesperson added that the protest would be held in support of all those facing charges related to the February rally and emphasised that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic freedom.
Local reaction has been mixed. While many in the community have expressed support for Mr Eastwood and criticised the prosecution as heavy-handed, others have pointed to the importance of following legal procedures around public gatherings — particularly in a region where the history of parades and marches remains politically sensitive.
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Legal experts have noted that while the legislation does not criminalise participation per se, it does impose a duty on organisers and key participants to ensure notification is given, with penalties for non-compliance. Conviction for participating in or organising an unnotified parade can result in a fine or even imprisonment, though custodial sentences are rare in such cases.
Tuesday’s court appearance will mark the beginning of legal proceedings, and it remains unclear whether Mr Eastwood will contest the charge or seek an early resolution.
Whatever the outcome, the case has already sparked debate over the balance between regulation and civil liberties in Northern Ireland — especially in the context of political expression and international solidarity movements.
More broadly, it underscores the continued tensions around public demonstrations in the region and the role that elected officials play when engaging in acts of protest.
