A Trio of Accused Individuals Prosecuted Concerning Palestine Action Placards Plead Not Guilty
The earliest three individuals charged in England and Wales with showing support for the prohibited movement Palestine Action entered pleas of not guilty pursuant to counter-terror laws.
A 72-year-old Yapton resident, Jeremy Shippam, A Surrey-based individual, Judit Murray, 71, and A 53-year-old Londoner, Fiona Maclean will face a hearing in March next year for allegedly displaying placards stating, “I am against atrocities, I stand with the activist group”.
Appearing in court in a central London court on Tuesday, the three denied identical accusations of exhibiting a sign in a public place that aroused legitimate concern suggesting they are advocates of an outlawed group, as per anti-terrorism legislation.
The three individuals, standing before the chief magistrate, were allowed to occupy seats not in the enclosure because two of them are hard of hearing and hearing loops were not accessible for them.
Following the prohibition targeting the group came into effect this summer, 138 people within the UK have been charged for demonstrating solidarity for the group, from among more than 1,600 people detained.
The three appearing before the magistrate were taken into custody at a demonstration in central London when the ban took effect. If convicted, they may receive a maximum sentence half a year imprisonment or a financial penalty upon being found guilty. They obtained release under terms until a date in March.
A group of protesters convened in front of the judicial venue shouting pro-Palestine slogans, holding up symbols and displaying signs.
An upcoming demonstration at the same location against the ban is set in early October, wrapping up a series of scheduled events beginning at a major party meeting in Liverpool.
