Six people have been charged with terrorism offences in relation to arranging public protests and hosting online meetings in support of Palestine Action.
The charges relate to gatherings held in London, Manchester, and Cardiff between 12 July and 9 August, as well as a planned demonstration on 6 September in London.
The offences also relate to 13 meetings held on Zoom between 10 July and 21 August.
They are:
• Timothy Crosland, 55, of Southwark, London
• Patrick Friend, 26, of Grange, Edinburgh
• Gwen Harrison, 48, of Kendal, Cumbria
• David Nixon, 39, of Barnsley, South Yorkshire
• Dawn Manners, 56, of Hackney, London
• Melanie Griffith, 62, of Southwark, London
They are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The Met Police said they were arrested on Tuesday – which is when campaign group Defend Our Juries, which has organised a series of protests in support of Palestine Action, said five of its spokespeople had been arrested.
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Timothy Crosland is charged with three counts of addressing a meeting with the purpose being to encourage support for a proscribed organisation and three counts of assisting in arranging a meeting knowing the purpose was to support a proscribed organisation.
Patrick Friend is facing two counts of managing a meeting to support a proscribed organisation and one count of assisting in arranging a meeting knowing the purpose was to support a proscribed organisation.
Gwen Harrison is accused of four counts of addressing a meeting with the purpose being to encourage support for a proscribed organisation and four counts of assisting in arranging a meeting knowing the purpose was to support a proscribed organisation.
David Nixon is charged with five counts of managing a meeting to support a proscribed organisation, one count of addressing a meeting with the purpose being to encourage support for a proscribed organisation and four counts of assisting in arranging a meeting knowing the purpose was to support a proscribed organisation.
Dawn Manners is accused of three counts of managing a meeting to support a proscribed organisation, two counts of addressing a meeting with the purpose being to encourage support for a proscribed organisation and two counts of assisting in arranging a meeting knowing the purpose was to support a proscribed organisation.
Melanie Griffith is facing seven counts of addressing a meeting with the purpose being to encourage support for a proscribed organisation and four counts of assisting in arranging a meeting knowing the purpose was to support a proscribed organisation.
The latest charges come ahead of a planned protest on Saturday where organisers have said they are expecting more than 1,000 people to gather in London’s Parliament Square, holding signs saying “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action”.
During an online news conference held by Defend Our Juries on Wednesday, it emerged protesters are being urged to demand they are taken into custody rather than accept “street bail” if they are arrested at the demonstrations.
The move could potentially overwhelm police forces.
More than 700 people were arrested during a number of demonstrations in support of Palestine Action over the summer – with police using street bail after arresting the protesters in order to avoid having to process them all in custody.
