Oxford Student Pleads Not Guilty to Racial Hatred Charge at Palestine Rally
An Oxford University student has formally denied allegations of stirring up racial hatred during a Palestine Coalition protest held in central London. Samuel Williams, aged 20, entered a not guilty plea in court this week following charges brought after a video from the event circulated online.
Charges Stem from Whitehall Protest Footage
The charges against Williams relate to an incident during a Palestine Coalition demonstration on October 11, 2025, in Whitehall, London. Prosecutors allege he used threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour with intent to stir up racial hatred. The video evidence, which was widely shared on social media platforms, prompted police investigation and subsequent legal action.
Williams, who resides in Oxford, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. During the hearing, he indicated his plea of not guilty to the single charge of stirring up racial hatred under relevant public order legislation.
Bail Conditions Restrict Protest Participation
The magistrate granted Williams conditional bail pending his next court appearance. As part of his bail conditions, Williams must not participate in any Palestine-related protests within the M25 London orbital motorway area or within Oxford city boundaries. This restriction aims to prevent potential further incidents while the legal process continues.
Williams is scheduled to appear at Southwark Crown Court on February 24, 2026, where the case will proceed to trial. The court will examine the video evidence and witness testimony to determine whether the prosecution can prove beyond reasonable doubt that Williams's actions constituted racial hatred offences.
Context of Palestine Coalition Protests
The Palestine Coalition organizes regular demonstrations across the UK advocating for Palestinian rights and calling for government action on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The October 2025 protest in Whitehall was one of several large-scale rallies that have drawn thousands of participants in recent years, sometimes leading to arrests for various public order offences.
University students have been prominently involved in these protests, with Oxford students particularly active in both local campus demonstrations and national rallies in London. This case highlights the legal boundaries of protest speech and the serious consequences when authorities believe those boundaries have been crossed.
The outcome of this case may establish important precedents regarding free speech protections versus racial hatred legislation during politically charged demonstrations. Legal experts suggest the prosecution will need to demonstrate both the content of Williams's alleged speech and his specific intent to stir up racial hatred, which can be challenging to prove in protest contexts.
