Welfare rights activists from across Scotland will converge on Forfar for a major court protest.
Tony Cox, a Dundee-based Scottish Unemployed Workers Network (SUWN) activist, will stand trial at the town’s sheriff court on a breach of the peace charge.
As well as a protest outside there will be demonstrations “in solidarity” with Cox in a number of towns and cities throughout the UK.
A spokesman for SUWN said: “Welfare rights activists from across Scotland are due to converge on Forfar Sheriff court to protest against the arrest of Dr Tony Cox.
“We believe that this case highlights the climate of fear that is evident within many job centres, but that it is not only benefit claimants that are treated with contempt.
“The SUWN will resist any and all attempts to curb the rights of welfare and citizen advocates to represent the unemployed.
“Advocacy is not a crime.”
The lecturer has pleaded not guilty to three charges.
It is alleged that on January 29, at Arbroath Jobcentre on Chalmers Street, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing, acting in an intimidating manner and refusing to leave the premises when requested to do so.
The 51-year-old Dundonian denied that, at the job centre on the same date, he refused to give his name, address, date of birth, place of birth and nationality when asked to do so by two police officers.
He is also accused of resisting or hindering two police officers in the execution of their duty and lashing out with his arms at Chalmers Street on the same date.
A special bail condition banning Mr Cox from entering Arbroath Jobcentre was refused following his last appearance.
Cox, who lives at Baxter Park Terrace, does not have any previous convictions.
A protest in February brought Arbroath High Street to a standstill.
The protest involved members of the Scottish Unemployed Workers’ Network, of which Mr Cox is a member, Dundee Against Welfare Sanctions and the Black Triangle Campaign, a group in defence of disability rights.
Dave Coull from Radical Independence (Angus and Mearns) said: “Forfar will become the focus of UK-wide demonstrations in solidarity with Tony Cox.
“There are going to be demonstrations in dozens of towns and cities throughout the British Isles.
“The reason Tony’s case is important is not because we think he’s a hero, but because his case represents an attack on the right of people to have a friend or advocate with them in difficult meetings with authority. That has huge implications for all of us.”