The Met Police said 55 people were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences for displaying placards in support of Palestine Action, at the largest of the demonstrations in Westminster
More than 100 people protesting the decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terror group have been arrested across the UK. Demonstrations in support of the pro-Palestine activist group took place in London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol and Truro on Saturday.
The Met Police said 55 people were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences for displaying placards in support of Palestine Action, at the largest of the demonstrations in Westminster. The government proscribed the group earlier this month under the Terrorism Act of 2000, making membership of or support for the group a criminal offence, following a break-in at an RAF base.
Across the country, protesters held placards with the words: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” In London, arrests were made near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament Square, where as many as 20 police vans attended.
Officers moved in swiftly to arrest those holding the placards, many of whom appeared to be over the age of 60. One woman claimed to be in her 80s and was walking with a stick. Some were led away while others had to be carried.
Avon and Somerset Police said 17 people were arrested under the Terrorism Act after a demonstration on College Green in Bristol. It said a further three people would be invited to attend a voluntary interview at a future date.
Devon and Cornwall Police said two men and six women were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after protesters gathered near Truro Cathedral. The force said around 30 people were involved in the peaceful demonstration, organised by campaign group Defend Our Juries.
Earlier, the campaign group said that one of those arrested near the cathedral was an 81-year-old former magistrate. Greater Manchester Police said it arrested 16 people on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation, and that they remained in custody for questioning.
Police Scotland said officers in Edinburgh attended after the force was made aware of images online showing people holding placards in support of Palestine Action in Edinburgh’s Parliament Square area. However, a spokesperson said no arrests were made as the protesters had gone by the time officers arrived. Enquiries are ongoing.
There were also no arrests at a separate pro-Palestinian protest in the city, the force added. Separately, a march organised by the Palestine Coalition took place in London on Saturday.
The Met said 10 people had been arrested so far at that demonstration, including nine suspected of supporting Palestine Action. Saturday’s protests came ahead of a High Court hearing on Monday at which the co-founder of Palestine Action, Huda Ammori, will ask for permission to challenge the decision to ban the group.
Last Saturday, 71 arrests were made across the UK at similar protests against the decision. Palestine Action has engaged in activities that have predominantly targeted arms companies since the start of the current war in Gaza.
MPs voted to proscribe the group after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in June, spraying two Voyager aircraft with red paint and causing £7m worth of damage. Palestine Action took responsibility for the incident at the time. Four people have since been remanded in custody, charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK. The incident also prompted a security review across all UK military bases.
