Three Accused Individuals Prosecuted Over Pro-Palestine Group Signs Plead Not Guilty
The initial three suspects prosecuted in the UK with displaying support for the outlawed movement the activist network maintained not guilty under anti-terror legislation.
Jeremy Shippam, aged 72, from West Sussex, Judit Murray, 71, residing in Surrey, and Fiona Maclean, 53, of Hackney, north-east London are scheduled for trial next March accused of carrying placards that read, “I stand against mass killings, I stand with Palestine Action”.
Appearing before a London magistrate recently, all defendants pleaded not guilty to the same charge of presenting a placard in a public place that aroused legitimate concern suggesting they are supporters of a proscribed organisation, as per anti-terrorism legislation.
Those accused, who appeared in front of the presiding judge, received approval to sit outside the dock as two are hearing impaired and audio support systems were not accessible for them.
After the outlawing against the activist network came into effect in early July, over a hundred individuals within the UK faced accusations for demonstrating solidarity toward the organization, out of more than 1,600 people detained.
These defendants appearing before the magistrate were all arrested at a demonstration near the UK parliament on the day restrictions were imposed. Potential penalties include a maximum sentence six months in jail plus possible monetary sanctions upon being found guilty. They obtained conditional bail until a date in March.
Activists assembled near the courthouse yelling slogans supporting Palestine, brandishing banners and displaying signs.
An upcoming demonstration at the same location against the ban is planned in early October, concluding multiple days of protests starting during the Labour party conference in Liverpool.
