 "UK police arrest 365 in largest protest since Palestine action ban")
London police has arrested over 365 people on Saturday during what authorities described as the largest protest in support of Palestine Action since the group was banned under the UK’s anti-terror laws last month.
The Metropolitan Police said more arrests were expected from the Parliament Square demonstration, rejecting organisers’ claims that only a “fraction” of the attendees had been taken into custody.
“That claim simply isn’t true,” the force stated, adding that some present were bystanders or not visibly showing support for Palestine Action. “We are confident that anyone here today holding a placard backing Palestine Action was either arrested or is in the process of being arrested,” it said.
Footage captured by Reuters showed protesters wearing black-and-white Palestinian scarves, chanting “shame on you” and “hands off Gaza”, and holding placards reading, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
The UK government outlawed Palestine Action in July after members broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged aircraft in protest against Britain’s backing of Israel. The proscription makes group membership a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori recently won permission to mount a legal challenge to the ban. Ahead of Saturday’s rally, the Home Office reiterated that members were suspected of other “serious attacks” involving violence, significant injuries, and extensive damage.
The decision to ban the group has drawn strong criticism from the United Nations and organisations such as Amnesty International and Greenpeace, which have called it an overreach that threatens free speech.
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A group called Defend our Juries, which organised Saturday’s protests and previous demonstrations against the ban, said “unprecedented numbers” had risked “arrest and possible imprisonment” to “defend this country’s ancient liberties”.
“We will keep going. Our numbers are already growing for the next wave of action in September,” it added.
Attendees began massing near parliament at lunchtime bearing signs saying “oppose genocide, support Palestine Action” and other slogans, and waving Palestinian flags.
Psychotherapist Craig Bell, 39, was among those holding a placard.
He branded the ban “absolutely ridiculous”.
“When you compare Palestine Action with an actual terrorist group who are killing civilians and taking lives, it’s just a joke that they’re being prescribed a terrorist group,” he told AFP.
As police moved in on the demonstrators, they applauded those being arrested and shouted “shame on you” at officers.
“Let them arrest us all,” said Richard Bull, 42, a wheelchair-user in attendance.
“This government has gone too far. I have nothing to feel ashamed of.”
NGOs opposed
London’s Met Police and other UK forces have made scores of similar arrests on previous weekends since the government outlawed Palestine Action on July 5.
Anyone expressing support for a proscribed group risks arrest under UK anti-terror laws.
Police announced this week that the first three people had been charged in the English and Welsh criminal justice system with supporting Palestine Action following their arrests at a July 5 demo.
Being a member or supporting the group is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Seven people have so far been charged in Scotland, which has a separate legal system.
Amnesty International UK Chief Executive Sacha Deshmukh wrote to Met Police chief Mark Rowley this week urging restraint be exercised when policing people holding placards expressing support for Palestine Action.
The NGO has argued arrests of such people are in breach of international human rights law.
A UK court challenge against the decision to proscribe Palestine Action will be heard later this year.
With inputs from agencies
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