Another 120 are charged with supporting Palestine Action – bringing complete to 254 accused of supporting a banned group
Another 120 people have been charged with supporting the banned ‘terrorist’ group Palestine Action – bringing the total accused up to 254.
The latest suspects were arrested following a protest on Saturday, August 9 where activists swarmed Parliament Square holding placards and flags.
Metropolitan Police officials confirmed they were forced to draw officers from other forces to help form a ‘significant policing presence’ as they faced a busy weekend of demos amidst a number of clashes in the heart of London.
Counter terrorism investigators say those charged will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on a series of dates from November 29 to December 9.
They could face a maximum prison sentence of six months or have their record tainted by a terrorism conviction.
In August, more than 500 people held placards in support of the proscribed group.
A wide variety of messages were seen on display with some activists holding signs saying ‘I am on duty to stop genocide’, while others clutched placards that read: ‘Our right to non-violent protest.’
Men and women of different ages were arrested by officers, while witnesses reported scuffles between rival groups.
Palestine Action supporters swarmed London’s Parliament Square on August 9 as hundreds of police officers carried out arrests
Protesters held signs vowing support for the banned ‘terrorist’ Palestine Action in Parliament Square
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said at the time: ‘The Met is very experienced at dealing with large-scale protests, including where the protest activity crosses into criminality, requiring arrests.
‘While we will not go into the specific details of our plan, the public can be assured that we will have the resources and processes in place to respond to any eventuality.
‘Anyone showing support for Palestine Action can expect to be arrested. I would once again urge people to consider the seriousness of that outcome.
‘An arrest under the Terrorism Act can have very real long-term implications – from travel, to employment, to finances. Also, as we have seen this week, it is very likely an arrest in these circumstances will lead to a charge.’
Martin Drummond, a 76-year-old retired research scientist from Norwich, was among the demonstrators in Parliament Square.
He said he was prepared to be arrested as he was ‘outraged’ by the restriction on ‘free speech’ created by Palestine Action’s proscription.
Mr Drummond said: ‘I’m here to protect our free speech – it’s absolutely crucial. Our forefathers fought for free speech and I’m bloody well going to defend it.’
Though he added he was ‘unenthusiastic’ about the prospect of being detained by police, saying: ‘I’d like to go home today. I’m not regarding it as a badge of honour. I have never supported anything like this before.’
Supporters of the alleged Palestine Action activists were pictured on November 15 with signs that read ‘Support the hunger strikers’ in response to 24 activists on remand
A banner from the protest this week read ‘Break the chains’. Supporters of the alleged Palestine Action activists are pictured
Samuel Corner (pictured), 23, was among a group of activists accused of crashing through a gate at the Israeli-linked firm Elbit Systems UK in Patchway with an old prison van on August 5
Among the counter-protesters was Jan Bowman, a 69-year-old illustrator from Scotland, who claimed a pro-Palestine activist tried to snatch an anti-Hamas placard she was carrying.
She said: ‘It was just so childish. We have to stand up for free speech. They won’t allow it, they won’t debate.
‘I’m a non Jewish supporter of Jewish people. I think Zionism is just the wish for Jewish people to have a homeland after centuries of persecution.’
Earlier this week a ‘Palestine Action’ protester ‘fractured a police officer’s spine’ before ‘attacking her with a sledgehammer’ as he smashed his way into a Bristol weapons factory, a court heard.
Samuel Corner, 23, was allegedly among a group of activists who crashed through a gate with an old prison van at the Israeli-linked firm Elbit Systems UK, in Patchway, on August 5 last year.
Campaigners were armed with fireworks, an axe and a paintball gun, and they wore red and black jumpsuits.
The ‘black team’ overwhelmed a security official who tried to fight them off with his umbrella while the red team ploughed through the loading gate, the court was told.
On the site itself, the activists wreaked carnage – causing damage and attacking security guards and police officers with sledgehammers, it is claimed.
Police Sergeant Kate Evans suffered back injuries after she was allegedly beaten with a sledgehammer by Corner.
Corner together with Charlotte Head, 29, Leona Kamio, 30, Fateema Rajwani, 21, Zoe Rogers, 22, Jordan Devlin, 31, all deny aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder.
He further denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent to PS Evans.
