Protesters deny stirring up racial hatred using term ‘intifada’
Police say context has changed after overseas attacks, as defendants appear in court following Westminster protest arrests
Three pro-Palestinian protesters have pleaded not guilty to stirring up racial hatred by using the term “intifada” at a demonstration on the same day police announced a change in approach to the chant.
The trio were detained at a protest outside the Ministry of Justice in Westminster on December 17 hours after both the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said anyone using slogans such as “globalise the intifada” would face arrest.
The forces had said they would take a more “assertive” approach to chants and placards using the phrase following the Bondi Beach mass shooting in Australia.
Heya Adam, 21, Azza Zaki, 60, and Abdallah Alanzi, 24, denied stirring up racial hatred at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
The two women and one man, all wearing Palestinian scarves known as keffiyehs, confirmed their names, dates of birth and addresses to the court.
A protest organised by the International Jewish Anti Zionist Network took place outside court.
Intifada is the Arabic word for “uprising” and often refers to Palestinian resistance movements against Israel.
The Met said its investigation took into account the “intifada” chant but also other chanting heard during the protest and that the charges reflected “the totality of the alleged offending on that evening”.
Alanzi, of Fortunegate Road, Brent, Adam, of Edgware Road, central London, and Zaki, of Edgware Road, central London, were granted unconditional bail.
All three will face a crown court trial and will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on 25 March.
In a joint statement released on 17 December, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and GMP Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said circumstances had changed for certain phrases.
They said: “We know communities are concerned about placards and chants such as ‘globalise the intifada’, and those using it at future protests or in a targeted way should expect the Met and GMP to take action.
“Violent acts have taken place, the context has changed – words have meaning and consequence.
“We will act decisively and make arrests.”
The move was welcomed by Jewish groups but pro-Palestine campaigners, who contest the meaning of the phrase, warned it infringed on the right to protest.
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