More than 1,500 people have pledged to attend a demonstration in central London this Saturday in defiance of the government's ban on Palestine Action. The protest is scheduled for Trafalgar Square, with organisers Defend Our Juries describing it as potentially "the biggest ever mass action yet defying the ban on Palestine Action".
Hundreds of participants are prepared to risk arrest by showing support for Palestine Action, which the government has designated as a proscribed terrorist organisation. The demonstration forms part of a broader week of mass protests challenging the ban.
Liverpool conference arrests
The planned protest follows significant police action at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool earlier this week. Sixty-six people were arrested for supporting the banned organisation, with 64 taken into custody on suspicion of terrorism offences.
All those arrested, aged between 21 and 83, have since been released on bail according to Merseyside Police. Officers stated that "some of the people in attendance displayed material in support of Palestine Action, who are a proscribed terrorism organisation".
Organisers challenge enforcement
Defend Our Juries claims police struggled to manage the earlier protests effectively, with officers "tied up for hours" dealing with demonstrations. A spokesman challenged authorities, asking: "If they can't enforce the ban on their own doorstep, how do they expect to stop the biggest act of mass civil disobedience in Trafalgar Square this weekend?"
The organisers argue the arrests represent an erosion of fundamental rights. The spokesman said: "It's nothing short of a scandal that thousands of people are being arrested - from vicars and priests to students and retired healthcare workers - as our fundamental rights to free speech and protest have been stripped away, not to keep us safe, but to protect weapons manufacturers' interests and enable Israel to continue to slaughter Palestinian people."
Previous violent confrontations
Last month witnessed violent clashes when an estimated 1,500 people gathered for a similar rally in Westminster. The protest developed an increasingly confrontational tone towards police, featuring chants including "shame on you", "you're supporting genocide", and references to former officer Wayne Couzens.
Police officers drew their batons during the confrontations, with one protester seen with blood streaming down his face after being arrested. The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment regarding Saturday's planned demonstration.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
