UK protesters in court charged with supporting Palestine Action

The first people charged with supporting Palestine Action after the UK government banned it as a “terror” group appeared in court in London.

Hundreds of people have been arrested at protests accused of showing support for the pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel organization since it was proscribed by the UK government in July.

The trio who appeared today, two of whom are in their 70s, were greeted outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court by several dozen supporters, some chanting slogans and waving Palestinian flags.

Inside, more supporters packed the public gallery.

Jeremy Shippam, 72, Judit Murray, 71, and Fiona Maclean, 53, all entered not guilty pleas and were released on bail until a trial set for March 16 next year.

They were arrested after a protest in Westminster on July 5, when London’s Metropolitan Police detained 41 people for allegedly supporting the group.

They are accused of displaying an article in a public place and arousing reasonable suspicion that they are a supporter of a proscribed organization, according to the charge sheet.

The charges come under section 13 of the Terrorism Act of 2000.

They allegedly held placards reading “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” prior to their arrest.

The government proscribed Palestine Action following several acts of vandalism, including against two planes at a Royal Air Force base which caused an estimated £7 million ($10 million) in damage.