Three Defendants Indicted Over Palestine Action Signs Enter Not Guilty
The initial three defendants charged within Britain for showing support toward the banned group the pro-Palestinian collective have pleaded not guilty under counter-terror laws.
Jeremy Shippam, aged 72, from West Sussex, Judit Murray, 71, of West Ewell, Surrey, and Fiona Maclean, 53, of Hackney, north-east London are set to undergo court proceedings next March accused of holding placards that read, “I stand against atrocities, I support the activist group”.
Standing before the judge in a central London court this week, all defendants pleaded not guilty to identical accusations of displaying an article where the public could see that aroused grounds for doubt that they were advocates of an outlawed group, contrary to anti-terrorism legislation.
Those accused, who appeared before the court’s head, were permitted to occupy seats not in the enclosure because two of them are hearing impaired and audio support systems were not accessible at that time.
After the outlawing on Palestine Action came into effect this summer, more than a hundred persons across Britain faced accusations over displays of backing for the group, from among over 1,600 individuals arrested.
These defendants present during the hearing were taken into custody at a demonstration near the UK parliament on the day restrictions were imposed. Potential penalties include a cap of half a year imprisonment or a financial penalty should the court rule against them. They obtained conditional bail through mid-March.
Activists gathered near the courthouse yelling messages of solidarity, holding up symbols and presenting messages.
The next protest in Parliament Square challenging the outlawing is planned for 4 October, concluding a series of scheduled events beginning at a major party meeting within the city.
