The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that three individuals are the first to face charges in England and Wales for allegedly showing support for Palestine Action, which was recently designated a terrorist organisation.
The charges stem from a protest held in central London on July 5, during which two women and one man were arrested in Westminster.
Those charged under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for allegedly endorsing a proscribed organisation are Jeremy Shippam, 71, from West Sussex; Judit Murray, 71, from Surrey; and Fiona Maclean, 53, from Hackney, north-east London.
All three are scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on September 16.
Their charges come just before another demonstration in support of Palestine Action, planned for Saturday in Parliament Square. Organisers expect over 500 participants.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, stated:
“Displaying public support for a proscribed group like Palestine Action constitutes a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act. Individuals who do so can expect to be arrested and fully investigated under the law.”
He confirmed that the current charges relate to the July 5 incident and noted that additional case files for 26 others arrested on the same day are being prepared for submission to the Crown Prosecution Service.