Police arrested dozens of activists across the United Kingdom on Tuesday as protesters gathered in support of Palestine Action, the direct action group banned under anti-terror laws in July. At least 28 people were detained in Nottingham alone on suspicion of terrorism offences, while additional arrests were made in Newcastle and Truro.
The demonstrations, organized by campaign group Defend Our Juries, took place in 18 towns and cities including Edinburgh, Cardiff, Leeds, Oxford and Gloucester. Protesters held placards reading "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action" and "Paint is not terrorism" as they staged silent protests outside government buildings and public spaces.
In Nottingham, officers carried away demonstrators who refused to leave the area outside Central Library. Some sat or laid down on the ground before being taken to police vans. Onlookers clapped and thanked the activists as they were removed about 40 minutes after the protest began at 1pm.
Police Response
Deputy Chief Constable Rob Griffin of Nottinghamshire Police defended the arrests in a statement after the demonstration concluded. «It is a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act 2000 to support a proscribed organisation; this includes holding placards with slogans indicating that you support the group,» he said.
He added that while the force facilitates peaceful protest, «the law will be enforced». «People attending the protest and showing support for Palestine Action were arrested,» Griffin confirmed. The demonstration proceeded without violence or disorder.
Northumbria Police made 12 arrests in Newcastle. A force spokesperson said: «The right to lawful protest is a key part of any democracy, which the police uphold. However, we will not accept people using them as a means to commit crime.»
Police in Truro arrested at least six people, including Oliver Baines, a 74-year-old farmer and retired charity CEO. He said ahead of the protest: «Our argument was never with the police but with the UK Government, with its shameful attack on our civil liberties, and with its appalling record of complicity in the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the West Bank.»
Contrasting Approaches
In Edinburgh, dozens of activists sat in the rain outside Queen Elizabeth House, the UK Government's hub in Scotland, for around an hour. Police made no arrests during the demonstration, though activists said officers had previously detained protesters in the days and weeks after similar events.
Defend Our Juries noted that police forces in Derry, Edinburgh, Totnes, Norwich and Kendal had previously chosen not to arrest sign-holders at earlier protests, respecting their right to protest and freedom of expression. «Local police forces are operationally independent of central government so have to make their own choices about how to react to Lift The Ban protests,» the group said.
Background
Palestine Action was banned on July 5 following alleged attacks on an Israel-based defence firm's UK site and two planes at RAF Brize Norton. The ban made membership of or support for the group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Co-founder Huda Ammori is taking legal action against former home secretary Yvette Cooper's decision to proscribe the group. A court hearing is scheduled for November 25-27.
Further protests are planned for London on November 20, 22, 24 and 26, with demonstrations in Bristol, Birmingham, Exeter, Cambridge, Sheffield, Lancaster, Manchester, Edinburgh and Cardiff on November 29.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
