More than 60 people have been charged with showing support for Palestine Action, the Metropolitan Police has said.

A total of 64 people have been charged in relation to protests in central London on 5 and 12 July.

They will appear in court throughout October and face a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

The force said more than 700 people have been arrested for showing support for the group since it was proscribed on 5 July.

So far, a total of 67 have been charged with supporting Palestine Action, after two women and a man were charged at the start of August in relation to the 5 July protest.

Palestine Action was banned after the group claimed responsibility for damage to jets at RAF Brize Norton and was also linked to “allegations of a serious assault on staff and police officers at a business premises in South Gloucestershire”, the Met Police said.

Image:
The view above Parliament Square for a protest on 8 August. Pic: PA

Membership of, or support for, the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Wearing a T-shirt or badge with the group’s name on could attract a maximum six-month sentence.

Met Police Commander Dominic Murphy said in a statement about the new charges that those who think supporting Palestine Action en masse “will overwhelm us” are “completely misguided”.

He added: “The reality for those who have carried out this action is that they are now facing serious charges under the Terrorism Act.

“If convicted of such an offence, it can have a severe impact on your life or career, potentially restricting your ability to travel overseas or work in certain professions.

“My message to anyone thinking about carrying out similar action in the coming weeks is to reconsider.”

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Cdr Murphy added: “Thousands continue to attend protests where they freely express their views in support of Palestine, without breaking counter-terrorism laws.

“But where we do see offences, people will very likely be arrested and will certainly be swiftly investigated, working closely with the CPS to bring about prosecutions.”