Hundreds of protesters were detained in central London yesterday during a demonstration opposing the government’s recent banning of Palestine Action, a group proscribed under terrorism legislation. The rally in Parliament Square saw demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and silently holding placards bearing messages like “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” The Metropolitan Police confirmed that 466 individuals were arrested simply for supporting the organisation, with additional arrests linked to assaults on officers and other minor offences.
This move follows the government’s aggressive stance after claims of escalating violence and vandalism attributed to Palestine Action — including damage to RAF aircraft at RAF Brize Norton, an attack that the group publicly claimed responsibility for. Declaring the organisation a terror group effectively criminalises its supporters, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison. Such sweeping measures raise serious questions about the government’s commitment to freedoms of assembly and expression, especially when peaceful protests are met with mass arrests.
Within moments of the protest starting, police, including reinforcement units brought in from other forces to handle the heightened security demands, swiftly moved in to detain demonstrators. Some protesters reportedly attempted to resist arrest, adopting tactics designed to hinder police handling—such as going “floppy.” Despite the heavy police presence and arrests, organisers estimate that between 600 and 700 people participated in the rally, highlighting widespread concern over the criminalisation of legitimate activism.
Critics argue that this crackdown reflects a troubling misuse of anti-terror legislation to suppress civil liberties and dissent. The government claims the ban was necessary due to “serious security threats,” but the mass detentions signal an overreach that risks silencing ordinary citizens who wish to voice their opposition peacefully.
This confrontation underscores the deepening divide over issues related to the Israel-Palestine conflict in the UK. It also prompts urgent debate about the limits of anti-terror laws and whether they are being weaponised to stifle domestic protest rather than combat genuine threats. Supporters of free speech and democratic accountability must oppose such heavy-handed tactics that threaten to undermine our fundamental rights, especially when the government’s justification hinges on fear and suppression rather than justice.
Source: Noah Wire Services