Queen Victoria statue in Sheffield defaced with pro-Palestine hunger-strike graffiti

A statue of Queen Victoria in Endcliffe Park, west Sheffield, has been defaced with red paint and the base scrawled with the words END THE HUNGER in green, a gesture linked to six pro-Palestine hunger-strike activists who are awaiting trial on charges including criminal damage, aggravated burglary and violent disorder tied to a factory raid linked to Israel’s Elbit Systems and a separate break-in at RAF Brize Norton.

Photos of the vandalism first appeared on social media on Saturday morning, showing a heavy red paint splatter across the statue of the 19th-century monarch and the green inscription at its base. The statue sits near the park’s main entrance, just off the Hunter’s Bar roundabout, and the colours used are associated with the Palestinian flag. The vandalism comes as supporters rally around the six Hunger Strikers who are on a prolonged protest while in custody.

The six prisoners are linked to a broader campaign in support of Palestinian rights and are facing multiple charges. Four of the protesters are thought to have been involved in the August 2024 raid on Elbit Systems Horizon, a UK branch of the Israeli defense contractor, near Bristol. A prison officer was reportedly left with a fractured spine after that incident, a court heard. The other two hunger-strike participants are accused of involvement in a separate break-in at RAF Brize Norton, with allegations that two military airplanes were damaged.

Palestine Action has said two of its activists infiltrated Britain’s largest RAF base and sprayed red paint into the engines of two Airbus Voyager aircraft before escaping, allegations that have intensified public attention on the case.

Lawyers representing the prisoners have warned of serious health and rights concerns tied to their detention, noting heavy restrictions on visits, calls and mail. They say the measures may amount to enforced disappearance, citing claims from UN special rapporteurs and urging authorities to seek a prompt resolution.

Kamran Ahmed, one of the six hunger-strike prisoners, told the Times that he is scared he may die in custody and described ongoing health risks, including chest pains and episodes of trembling. He said he has felt fear since day seven when his blood sugar dropped, describing a sense of vulnerability while awaiting hospital or legal responses.

Solidarity protests have spread to other cities; earlier this month protesters in Liverpool were pictured holding banners in support of the hunger strikers, signaling broad public attention to the case and the health warnings surrounding the inmates’ conditions.

Earlier this month, Imran Khan & Partners, representing the prisoners, sent a letter to Justice Secretary David Lammy asking to meet to discuss the prisoners’ situation and the potential risks to their lives if the hunger strike continues without resolution.

As authorities weigh the health and legal concerns surrounding the hunger strike, observers note that the incident surrounding the statue defacement underscores the broader geopolitical tensions and domestic debates over protest, security, and the rights of detainees in high-profile cases.