The Metropolitan Police arrested 86 protesters at HMP Wormwood Scrubs on Saturday night after they breached prison grounds in support of a Palestine Action prisoner on hunger strike. The demonstrators refused to leave, blocked prison staff, threatened officers, and entered a staff entrance area of the west London prison.
The protest centered on 22-year-old Umer Khalid, who has been held on remand since July on charges of alleged break-ins or criminal damage carried out on behalf of Palestine Action, which he denies. Khalid resumed his hunger strike two weeks ago and stopped drinking water two days ago.
A Met Police spokesperson told the Mirror: «Officers were deployed to HMP Wormwood Scrubs on Saturday evening after protesters breached prison grounds.» The spokesperson added: «All those involved were detained and arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.»
Deteriorating health condition
Khalid's situation is particularly critical due to limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder causing progressive muscle wasting and weakness around key joints. Dr Rupa Marya from Prisoners for Palestine stated Khalid's action could lead to death within days.
The 22-year-old from Manchester first began a hunger strike in November but paused it at Christmas due to illness. Seven other prisoners initially stopped eating with Khalid.
Other strikes ended
The last three Palestine Action prisoners ended their hunger strikes 10 days ago after the government decided not to award a £2bn contract to Elbit Systems UK, the Israeli arms company subsidiary. Elbit Systems UK has secured over 10 public contracts since 2012 and described the government's decision as a "shift in the Ministry of Defence's thinking."
Khalid remains the last participant in the Prisoners for Palestine hunger strike campaign.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
