A massive demonstration is underway in London against the proscription of Palestine Action, with over 1,000 people pledging to risk arrest.
The protest, organized by Defend Our Juries, aims to challenge the government’s ban on the group. According to Sammy Gecsoyler, arrests have begun, with police detaining several individuals.
The protest comes after a similar demonstration last month, where 532 people were arrested. In a show of defiance, protesters have been instructed to withhold their details from officers, aiming to overwhelm police stations with en-masse processing.
This tactic, organizers believe, would make it “practically impossible” to arrest everyone. At last month’s demonstration, the Metropolitan police said 212 of those arrested were transported to police stations.
The protest coincides with a major march in London organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and others.
The event also takes place amid controversy over the DSEI arms fair, Britain’s flagship defence show, which starts on Saturday. The timing of the protest highlights the growing tensions between activists and the government.
In a related development, Tim Crosland, a former government lawyer and co-founder of Defend Our Juries, was arrested by police along with four other spokespeople on Tuesday.
The arrests occurred hours before a press conference was due to start. The group remains determined to challenge the ban on Palestine Action.
The protest underscores the deep divisions within British society over issues of activism, free speech, and government policy. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to the mass demonstration.
The UK government’s ban on Palestine Action has sparked widespread criticism, with many arguing that it infringes on freedom of speech and the right to protest.
The group, which accuses the UK government of complicity in Israeli war crimes in Gaza, has targeted Israel-linked companies in the country, often using tactics like spraying red paint, blocking entrances, or damaging equipment.
The Metropolitan Police’s mass arrests at the protest have raised serious questions about freedoms in the UK. Paddy Friend, a protester, questioned the meaning of freedom of speech if people can be arrested for holding signs with just seven words.
“If we can’t come down with seven words on a sign and sit quietly, then what does freedom of speech mean?” Friend asked.
The ban on Palestine Action has also drawn concern from international human rights experts, who say labeling the group as “terrorist” was “unjustified”. The group’s actions, they argue, were limited to civil disobedience and “mere property damage, without endangering life”.
Amnesty International UK denounced the arrest of peaceful protesters, stating that such action constitutes “a violation of the UK’s international obligations to protect the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly”.
The controversy surrounding Palestine Action’s ban has sparked a growing campaign of collective defiance. Over 350 academics from around the world have signed an open letter applauding the group’s actions and condemning the ban.
“The right to protest is one we protect fiercely,” they wrote, arguing that the ban has repressive consequences that could impact universities across the UK.
In response to the criticism, UK Secretary of State for the Home Department Yvette Cooper insisted that Palestine Action was outlawed “based on strong security advice” and following “an assessment from the Joint Terrorism Assessment Centre that the group prepares for terrorism”.
However, protesters remain undeterred, with many vowing to continue expressing their support for Palestine Action despite the risk of arrest.