29 Arrested in London Amidst Protest Supporting Proscribed Group Palestine Action

29 Arrested in London Amidst Protest Supporting Proscribed Group Palestine Action

London witnessed significant police activity on Saturday, resulting in the arrest of 29 individuals during a protest that demonstrated support for the recently proscribed group, Palestine Action. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests, stating that those taken into custody are being held on suspicion of offences related to the Terrorism Act 2000.

The demonstration, which took place in Parliament Square, saw participants holding placards that openly expressed support for Palestine Action, with messages such as “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” The timing of these arrests is particularly noteworthy, as Palestine Action was officially proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000 on Saturday, following a failed legal challenge by the group’s representatives on Friday.

The proscription carries severe implications: becoming a member of, or showing support for, Palestine Action is now a criminal offense, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The Metropolitan Police explicitly stated their response was due to the group’s proscribed status, emphasizing that expressing support for them constitutes a criminal act.

Protesters gathered near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Westminster, holding homemade cardboard placards. Images circulated showed police engaging with the group, with several individuals being detained, including one woman seen being led away in handcuffs. The protest group, Defend Our Juries, had previously notified the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Mark Rowley, about the planned demonstration and the display of support for Palestine Action.

In response to the arrests, Defend Our Juries issued a statement expressing a sense of relief that counter-terrorism police were occupied with the protest, implying a criticism of their priorities. The government’s decision to ban Palestine Action came after an incident last month where an estimated £7 million worth of damage was caused to aircraft at RAF Brize Norton. Palestine Action claimed responsibility for that action.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper had announced the intention to proscribe the group, condemning the damage to the military aircraft as “disgraceful” and highlighting the group’s “long history of unacceptable criminal damage.” The ban officially came into effect on Saturday, following a High Court decision where Mr. Justice Chamberlain denied the group’s request for a temporary injunction, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to outweigh the public interest in upholding the ban.

Palestine Action has been actively involved in targeting arms companies, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The group’s activities have largely focused on disrupting operations perceived to be supporting Israel’s military campaign. The court ruling highlighted the strength of the public interest in maintaining the ban, rejecting the argument that the ban constituted an “authoritarian abuse” of power.

The conflict in Gaza escalated following Hamas’s attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the taking of 251 hostages. The health ministry in Gaza, run by Hamas, reports that the death toll has since surpassed 57,000. Israel has consistently denied allegations of genocide, a matter currently under review by the International Court of Justice.