Nine people charged following Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest

Following a breach of Public Order Act conditions at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) march yesterday, nine people have been charged.

Conditions were put in place after taking into account the cumulative impact of the prolonged period of protest on Jewish Londoners, particularly when protests are in the vicinity of synagogues often on Saturdays, the Jewish holy day.

Officers saw a coordinated effort to breach these conditions which prevented protestors forming up in the vicinity of a synagogue located a short distance from Portland Place. This is despite the PSC agreeing to a static protest and numerous updates from the Met to protestors prior to the march and on the day.

Those charged with public order offences include:

• Angela Zelter, 73 (05.06.51), of Heyton, Powes
• Tessa Roe-Stanton, 20 (03.02.04), of Breakspears Road SE4
• Monday Rosenfeld, 21 (22.01.03), of Rhodeswell Road E14
• Starr Thomas, 20 (03.08.04), of Breakspears Road SE4
• Christian Adair, 23 (22.10.01), of Adelaide Avenue SE4
• Matthew Brennan, 44 (19.04.80), of Church Road, St George, Bristol
• David Ok, 40 (01.09.84), of Teighnmouth Road NW2
• Piers Corbyn, 77 (10.03.47), of East Street SE17
• Christopher Nineham, 62 (10.06.62) of Daling Way E3

They are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in the coming days.

In addition, three men have agreed to attend voluntarily at a Central London Police Station today to be interviewed under criminal caution as officers investigate a coordinated effort by organisers to breach conditions. The 75-year-old, 73-year-old and 61-year-old will be interviewed by officers this afternoon.

Following the arrests yesterday, 25 people have been bailed and 48 remain in custody.

Commander Adam Slonecki, who led the policing operation, said: “Yesterday we saw a deliberate effort, including by protest organisers, to breach conditions and attempt to march out of Whitehall.

“This was a serious escalation in criminality and one which we are taking incredibly seriously. Officers have worked around the clock to pursue those involved.

“We will continue to work through CCTV footage, videos from social media and our body worn cameras so we can make further arrests and bring forward charges where we identify criminality.

“I’d like to thank officers for their professional response, including those from other forces across the country who assisted. Thankfully no officers were injured during the protest, however three were spat at and one was physically assaulted. They are receiving appropriate support.”