Three people have been charged with terror offences after ‘showing support for Palestine Action at a protest’.
Jeremy Shippam, 71, Judit Murray, 71, and Fiona Maclean, 53, were arrested following a protest in Parliament Square, central London, on Saturday.
They will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on September 16, the Metropolitan Police said.
At least 500 activists are set to join another demonstration at Parliament Square this Saturday, in which they will hold signs saying ‘I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action’.
It has fuelled fears of a ‘mass arrest’ event, with police and No 10 confirming this week that anyone who supported the newly proscribed terror group would be arrested.
Last week, Palestine Action won permission to challenge the ban after the High Court ruled it had an arguable case.
A judicial review will take place in November. Until then, the ban remains in place.
It means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000.
There have already been 200 arrests at protests organised by Defend Our Juries since the ban came into force last month.
As prison bosses have initiated emergency measures for a possible influx of arrested demonstrators this weekend amid concerns that some jails are close to full.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has sought to head off potentially chaotic scenes in the capital this weekend.
As she urged the public to steer clear of support for a ‘proscribed terror organisation that wishes harm on the British people’.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: ‘Anyone who displays public support for Palestine Action, a proscribed organisation, is committing an offence under the Terrorism Act and can expect to be arrested and, as these charges show, will be investigated to the full extent of the law.
‘These charges relate to three people arrested in central London on July 5.
‘We are also planning to send case files to the Crown Prosecution Service for the other 26 people arrested on the same day.
‘I would strongly advise anyone planning to come to London this weekend to show support for Palestine Action to think about the potential criminal consequences of their actions.’
Frank Ferguson, Head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: ‘Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service, we have authorised charges against two women and a man under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
‘Jeremy Shippam, 71, Judit Murray, 71, and Fiona Maclean, 53, have each been charged under the Terrorism Act with showing support for the proscribed terrorist group Palestine Action in Westminster on 5 July 2025.
‘The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are active and that they have the right to a fair trial.
‘It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
