Hundreds of people are expected to risk arrest during protests on Saturday in support of Palestine Action, a group banned as a terrorist organisation. Demonstrators plan to gather in London, Belfast and Edinburgh, holding signs declaring their opposition to genocide and support for the proscribed group.
The Metropolitan Police has issued stark warnings that anyone attending the Westminster demonstration will be acting unlawfully and faces arrest. Police emphasise that showing support for Palestine Action constitutes a criminal offence under terrorism legislation.
Organised mass protest action
Defend Our Juries (DOJ) said the action would proceed on condition of at least 1,000 people pledging support, though hundreds more are reportedly planning to participate. Support reportedly increased after several activists involved in organising the protests were arrested under terror laws.
Protestors plan to refuse street bail, forcing authorities to take more people into custody. They also intend to go "floppy", requiring officers to physically carry them away from demonstration sites.
Police response and warnings
Scotland Yard's Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan delivered an uncompromising message about the planned protests. "Palestine Action is a group that has been proscribed by the UK Government. It is a criminal offence to be a member of it or to express support for it," he said.
"I can be unequivocal, if you show support for Palestine Action - an offence under the Terrorism Act - you will be arrested. We have the officer numbers, custody capacity and all other resources to process as many people as is required," Adelekan warned.
DOJ sent a letter to Sir Mark Rowley ahead of the Westminster protest, noting that police forces in Edinburgh, Totnes, Derry and Kendall had all decided not to arrest sign-holders.
Legal proceedings escalate
Six people alleged to be DOJ members or close associates appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, denying terror offences. They are accused of attempting to organise mass gatherings aimed at rendering the Palestine Action ban unenforceable.
The charges relate to meetings allegedly organised over Zoom in London, Cardiff and Manchester during July, August and this month. On Friday, the Crown Prosecution Service announced a further 24 people were charged with showing support for the group, bringing total prosecutions to 138.
Background to the ban
Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in July after claiming responsibility for damaging two Voyager planes at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June. The Home Office is set to appeal against a High Court ruling allowing Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori to proceed with a legal challenge against the ban.
Ammori took legal action against Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's (Labour) decision to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws. The ban makes membership of, or support for, the direct action group punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
