Full Breakdown
Activists Charged Following High-Profile Protests at The Ritz and Tower of London
4/20/2026, 2:19:45 AM
Overview of the Protests
Eight activists from the climate protest group Take Back Power have been charged with criminal damage following two notable incidents in December 2022. The first incident occurred on December 3 at The Ritz hotel in Piccadilly, where activists poured manure beneath a Christmas tree. The second incident took place three days later, on December 6, at the Tower of London, where activists threw apple crumble and custard at a glass case housing the Crown Jewels.
Details of the Incidents
At The Ritz, four activists—Ellen Redwood-Brown, 23, Tom Barber, 66, Toby Ellwood, 21, and Tjalle Rumley, 26—were involved in the protest, which left a significant mess on the luxury carpet. They also displayed banners stating, "Inequality is sh**, tax the rich." The Metropolitan Police intervened quickly, removing the protesters from the scene.
In the subsequent protest at the Tower of London, four additional activists—Fatima Ali, 19, Miriam Cranch, 22, Mack Preston, 22, and Matthew Cooper, 50—smeared crumble and custard on the glass protecting the Imperial State Crown. During this act, they unfurled a banner reading, "Democracy has crumbled - tax the rich." The Crown Jewels are significant national symbols, having been worn by King Charles III during his coronation and displayed during Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.
Legal Proceedings
The activists charged in connection with the incidents are scheduled to appear in court over the coming weeks. Redwood-Brown and Barber are set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on April 20, while Ellwood and Rumley will appear on April 29. The four activists charged for the Tower of London incident will also appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on April 27. Additionally, David Kilroy, 66, has been charged with theft related to an alleged organized shoplifting incident at Sainsbury's in Lewisham on March 14, 2023, and is due in Bexley Magistrates’ Court on April 29.
Official Statements & Responses
A spokesperson for Take Back Power commented on the protests, stating, "The super-rich have more than doubled their wealth since the pandemic, while this Christmas, a third of UK children suffer and grow up in poverty." They emphasized the need for a legally binding citizen's assembly to address wealth inequality and ensure that ordinary people have a say in taxation decisions.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of the protests argue that such actions may undermine the activists' message and alienate potential supporters. The use of food items and manure in protests has sparked debate about the effectiveness and appropriateness of these methods in advocating for social change.
What's Next
The upcoming court appearances will be pivotal in determining the legal consequences for the activists involved. The protests have drawn attention to issues of wealth inequality in the UK, prompting discussions about the role of activism in addressing social justice.
