More than 500 people were arrested at a mass demonstration in London opposing the proscription of Palestine Action, following a high court ruling that the ban was unlawful. The protest, organised by Defend Our Juries, took place in Trafalgar Square on Saturday, with hundreds of demonstrators holding signs reading 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.'
The Metropolitan Police reported 523 arrests by midnight, with ages ranging from 18 to 87. Officers began arresting individuals on the edges of the demonstration shortly after 1pm, with some being carried away. One elderly woman using walking sticks was escorted away, and a woman told officers: 'You could be on your way catching real criminals.'
Defend Our Juries criticised the arrests, stating that the government's ban had been ruled unlawful and that leading lawyers warned any arrests would be unlawful. A spokesperson described the situation as 'truly surreal', adding that an 'absurdly authoritarian measure has descended into farce' ahead of the Court of Appeal hearing.
Former Palestine Action-affiliated prisoner Qesser Zuhrah, who was on hunger strike for 48 days, said the 'entire world' opposes the ban. She stated: 'This British government is hellbent on establishing that the ones that create the weapons are not the terrorists but the ones that destroy the weapons are the terrorists.' Kamran Ahmed, who was on hunger strike for over 60 days, said he was there to support 'righteous people taking righteous action against the government.'
Demonstrator Ally, 72, called the proscription 'blatantly absurd', adding: 'It's not just about Palestine Action, so much about protest is being shut down now.' Andy Simons, 73, wore a sign reading 'Free, free speech' and said: 'Free speech, as long as it's not violent, is something we should have.'
The Metropolitan Police initially said it would stop arresting people for such offences under the Terrorism Act after the high court ruling, but revised its approach after the home secretary was granted permission to appeal. The high court had ruled the proscription unlawful in February.
