UK police arrested 71 people during protests against the recent ban on Palestine Action. The protests took place across London, Manchester, and Cardiff. Demonstrators returned to the streets for a second consecutive weekend.
The UK government officially banned Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000. This law makes supporting or joining the group a criminal act. Authorities announced the ban last Saturday, triggering widespread demonstrations.
In London, the Metropolitan Police arrested 41 people. Officers charged them with showing support for a proscribed group. One person also faced charges for common assault during the protest.
Meanwhile, Manchester police also made several terrorism related arrests in addition to those in Cardiff. Protesters who gathered in the two cities demonstrated strong opposition to the decision by the government. In order to manage the commotion, the law enforcers monitored every activity.
The scale and the severity of the demonstrations continue to grow. Activists demand that the ban be removed. To most people, the move has been perceived as an outright attack on the right to free speech and freedom of dissent. Just check back later as this story goes on. Protests might increase in the coming days.
Two protest groups gathered in Parliament Square, London, shortly after 1:00 PM BST on Saturday. They displayed signs that read, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” Many protesters lay on the ground while police searched bags and collected ID cards and signs.
Police officers removed several demonstrators and escorted others to police vans. They cleared the final protester from the Nelson Mandela statue by 2:30 PM BST. Authorities maintained a visible presence throughout the protest.
According to the Met Police, officers respond to criminal offenses immediately. They intervene when people are chanting slogans, wearing clothes, and expressing behaviors that are associated with proscribed organizations. This involves flags, logos, and other paraphernalia that are supportive of the proscribed organizations. Meanwhile, the South Wales Police had made arrests of 13 protesters outside BBC offices in Cardiff.
They were all suspected of supporting a proscribed group. The arrests came on a muggy afternoon protest close to Central Square that was filled with hostility. These events indicate the increase in applied power at recent demonstrations. Police are still keeping tabs on groups in their activities. Keep following up on this story.
Police Respond to Protests Across UK Over Gaza Conflict
South Wales Police support the right to protest as long as it follows the law. They emphasized the lawful expression of opinions. Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police arrested 16 people under the Terrorism Act 2000. Officers responded to a protest in St Peter’s Square.
The campaign group Defend Our Juries organized the demonstrations. Last weekend in London, police arrested 29 protesters during a similar event. Activist group Palestine Action continues to target arms companies. Their protests have escalated since the start of the current war in Gaza.
In June, activists sprayed two Voyager aircraft with paint after breaching RAF Brize Norton. The group claimed responsibility for the act. Police charged four individuals with conspiracy to commit criminal damage. They remain in custody and face serious national security allegations.
Police released a woman on bail after arresting her for assisting an offender. They also released a man without charge. The incident triggered a full security review across UK military airbases. Authorities aim to prevent further disruptions. In July, MPs voted to label Palestine Action a terrorist group. They amended existing legislation to support the move.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the decision. She claimed the group repeatedly caused criminal damage and posed a growing threat. She emphasized that the UK’s defense sector remains crucial to national security. At all costs, the administration intends to safeguard it. Critics, however, are adamantly against the prohibition.
Many contend that anti-terrorism legislation shouldn’t apply to Palestine Action. The designation was not blocked by a judicial challenge. In court, Raza Husain KC referred to the action as an “authoritarian abuse” of authority. Israel’s military war in Gaza is still ongoing. The health ministry in Gaza reports that more than 57,800 Palestinians have died since October 2023.
