Superglue seven found not guilty after Question Time protest
The seven protesters who superglued their hands to a balustrade in Parliament House were acquitted on Thursday of intentionally damaging Commonwealth property.
As the ACT Supreme Court jury foreman read each verdict one by one, supporters in the public gallery sighed with relief, and some wiped tears from their eyes. Once outside court, members of the group hugged and cried out, "yes".
The superglue seven were acquitted on Thursday of damaging Commonwealth property.
Photo: Alexandra BackThe jury began deliberating about 9am Thursday and reached the verdict shortly after.
On November 30, 2016, Timothy Buchanan, Philip Evans, Hannah Grant, Samantha Hawker, Chamomilla Hill, Sally Hunter and Jason Ray joined a larger group in the House of Representatives to stage a protest over Australia's refugee camps.
The seven were joined by a large group of supporters outside court.
Photo: Alexandra BackQuestion Time was forced to a halt as security officers removed the protesters one by one.
Over the two day trial, the jury saw surveillance footage from inside the House of Representatives. The footage shows staff forcibly pulling one woman's hand free from the balustrade. Staff then brought out hand sanitiser gel to dissolve the glue bonding the remaining six protester's hands to the leather.
The seven were later charged with the offence of intentionally damaging Commonwealth property, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' jail. They pleaded not guilty.
The seven maintained they never intended to cause any damage by their protest, and had sought advice from a paramedic who said acetone nail polish remover would dissolve the glue without harming person or property.
The seven addressed the waiting media after the verdicts.
Photo: Alexandra BackMr Evans said the group's intention was always to draw attention to the suffering of refugees.
"We're willing to do whatever it takes. We're willing to stand up for the rights of refugees, and we will not stop until we see an end to this torturous regime."
Mr Ray said the group were on Thursday "rightfully found not guilty of intentionally damaging Commonwealth property".
"We charge that the real damage is being caused by politicians like Peter Dutton, who are intentionally destroying the lives of those guilty of nothing more than searching for a safe home."
Ms Hunter said while feeling positive about the not guilty verdicts, they remained concerned about the ongoing detention of refugees. She too said they would continue to protest.
Asked about the possibility of jail if they were found guilty, Mr Evans said, "We took action with full knowledge there may be repercussions. But we also know that the repercussions dealt to us pale in comparison to the treatment of refugees."