A former member of the Weather Underground, who has spent decades advocating for restorative justice, has been denied entry to the UK by the Home Office despite an invitation from the Royal Shakespeare Company to speak about her work. Supporters, including prominent legal and cultural figures, argue her long-standing rehabilitation efforts should have secured her visa. The woman, whose experiences inspired a high-profile theatrical portrayal of prisoners in Shakespeare’s plays, has become a focal point for human rights advocates challenging the decision. The controversy highlights ongoing debates over visa policies and the recognition of personal transformation in immigration assessments.
Home Office refused entry to Judith Clark, 77, invited by RSC to speak about restorative justice after her time in prisonHuman rights activists and celebrities including the lawyer Helena Kennedy, the actor Harriet Walter and the theatre director Phyllida Lloyd have urged the Home Office to overturn its decision to refuse a visa to a former member of the radical US group the Weather Underground, saying her decades of rehabilitation should count in her favour.Judith Clark, 77, was the inspiration for Walter’s portrayal of prisoners in the Donmar Warehouse all-female Shakespeare trilogy, including Brutus in Julius Caesar and Prospero in The Tempest. Continue reading...
