A Black Lives Matter supporter raised his fist in salute in the dock as he faced an accusation he damaged poppy wreaths at a memorial for RAF airmen who died in World War Two.
Soulman Cosmic Freedom, 58, is accused of damaging the wreaths laid at the Bomber Command war memorial in Green Park on June 30.
The memorial, featuring bronze sculptures of Bomber Command aircrew, was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 to remember more than 55,000 people who lost their lives during the War in daring air-raids and aerial battles with the Nazi Germans.
At Westminster magistrates court on Monday, Freedom appeared in the dock with a mask – on upside down – bearing the slogan “Black Lives Matter”.
He raised his fist in the air in salute several times during the short hearing, including when confirming his identity and shouting “Not Guilty” when the charge was put to him.
According to the charge, Freedom, from Beech Avenue in Acton, is accused of “damaging War memorial poppy wreaths of a value unknown belonging to Bomber Command War memorial, intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.”
Prosecutor David Burns told the court: “It is damage to wreaths. There are no aggravating factors other than it’s a war memorial.”
District Judge Briony Clarke agreed to hear the case in the magistrates court, but Freedom elected for a trial in front of judge and jury at the crown court.
He was set free on unconditional bail until a hearing at Southwark crown court on September 2.
Freedom stamped his feet twice as the hearing ended, before raising his fist a final time and shouting “Black Lives Matter”.
Freedom denies a single charge of criminal damage.
