Police have arrested 117 people on suspicion of expressing support for a proscribed group during a protest outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London. The demonstration took place on Monday as judges ruled that the ban on Palestine Action as a terrorist organization was lawful.
Court Ruling
Inside the court, five Court of Appeal judges determined that the ban, which took effect on July 5 last year, was a "justified and proportionate" interference with freedom of expression rights. This decision overturned a previous High Court ruling from February, which had found then-Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's ban to be unlawful after a legal challenge by the group's co-founder, Huda Ammori.
Protest Details
Crowds gathered outside the central London court, with some protesters holding signs reading "I support Palestine Action." Police officers were seen carrying away demonstrators, including an elderly woman wearing dark blue scrubs and a sign that said "retired doctor" on her chest.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated: "We acknowledge the Court of Appeal's judgment that the Home Secretary's decision to proscribe Palestine Action was lawful. This means that expressing support for the organisation remains a criminal offence and officers will arrest those who break the law."
Since Palestine Action was proscribed, the Met has arrested over 3,000 people on suspicion of supporting the group. Additionally, City of London Police arrested two more individuals at a separate protest outside the Old Bailey on Monday.
