Prosecutors raise racist allegations against members of pro-Palestinian campaign group

PROSECUTORS have raised racist allegations against members of a pro-Palestinian campaign group who allegedly disrupted musical performances with their demonstrations.

The Crown Office last month dropped breach of the peace charges claiming that Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) activists disrupted the Jerusalem String Quartet's performance at Queens Hall in Edinburgh on August 29 last year.

But members of the SPSC today reacted angrily to revelations that new charges over the same incident claim their actions were racist.

They described the action as a danger to the freedom of political protest and claim racism laws are being abused by the Crown Office.

Five members of the group are now charged with either following a racist course of conduct or acting in a racially aggravated manner.

Prosecutors claim that five interruptions of the string quartet amount to harassment.

The charges go on to say the SPSC members made comments about Jews, Israelis and Israel, claiming the behaviour was intended to place the musicians in a state of fear and alarm.

Michael Napier, 62, Kevin Connor, 39, Niel Forbes, 54, Vanesa Fuertes, 34, and Sofia Macleod,38, all appear on the charges, which called today at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Dozens of protesters stood outside the court building wearing stickers and holding posters insisting the action had not been racially motivated.

One member of the SPSC and a co-accused, Michael Napier, said: "The law when it was passed was never envisaged to be used for political activity.

"We are talking about hooligans in football stadiums chanting racist abuse and that sort of disgusting stuff and it is right that it should be used for that.

"But the danger is of course that legitimate political activity, the sort of activity that contributed to the end of apartheid in South Africa is criminalised."

Mr Napier called for an investigation into the allegations being brought under a racial umbrella.

He said: "Who spoke to whom? Why were they (the allegations) lodged and who the hell thinks it is appropriate to have criminal charges for interrupting a performance by Israeli soldiers."

The case was continued without plea until May.