ACTIVISTS challenging the government’s proscription of Palestine Action were dragged out of court by security officers this week, campaigners claimed today.

Veteran campaigner Angie Zeltner and Defend Our Juries co-founder Tim Crosland were part of the group thrown out during plea hearings on Monday over the ban at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Before their removal, Ms Zeltner, who founded the anti-nuclear campaign group Trident Ploughshares and was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, gave a speech instead of entering the hearing.

She said: “I think it’s a terrible indictment of the criminal justice system that you are charging me with terrorism and not our government with aiding and abetting genocide.”

As the judge attempted to leave the court following her statements, Ms Zeltner accused judge of perverting the course of justice.

Mr Crosland said the judge made him leave after he made a legal argument attempting to convince the magistrate that the charge was not lawful.

“Nobody should be put in a position of having to give a plea before raising with the court, procedural, legal reasons why that charge is unlawful.

“I was thrown out of court for refusing to comply with the sausage factory that this court has been turned into.”

Pleas have been taking place every Monday and Tuesday since the start of the year for the thousands who were arrested as part of the Lift The Ban civil disobedience campaign.

Hundreds of these protesters were charged under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for holding sings reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

So far, 2,787 people have so far been arrested under terrorism legislation for taking part in these silent vigils.