Over 500 Arrested in London Pro-Palestine Protests Following Group Ban
Over 500 Arrested in London Pro-Palestine Protests Following Group Ban
London police announced a significant crackdown over the weekend, confirming 532 arrests during pro-Palestinian events. The majority of detentions, 522, occurred on Saturday when supporters of Palestine Action, a group recently proscribed as a terrorist organization, intentionally violated the ban to challenge its enforcement.
The Metropolitan Police Service released updated figures on Sunday, as a separate demonstration demanding the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza also took place in central London. Those arrested on Saturday were primarily for displaying placards in support of Palestine Action, in breach of anti-terror legislation. An additional 10 individuals faced charges including assaulting and obstructing police officers.
Palestine Action backers staged the protest, asserting that the government’s ban on their direct action group constitutes an illegal restriction on freedom of expression. However, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper firmly rejected this claim, stating that Palestine Action was outlawed due to its involvement in serious attacks, violence, significant injuries, and extensive criminal damage.
Cooper emphasized that while the right to protest is protected, showing support for a proscribed organization is a distinct matter. She clarified that despite potential public unawareness, assessments clearly indicate Palestine Action is not a non-violent entity. The police updates followed widespread media coverage on Sunday, featuring images of elderly protesters being apprehended; nearly half of those arrested were reportedly over the age of 60.
Authorities anticipate that the process of filing charges against the arrested individuals will span several weeks, as the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command compiles case files and seeks approval from prosecutors and, in some instances, the attorney general. Parliament’s decision to ban Palestine Action stemmed from incidents such as activists damaging two tanker planes at a Royal Air Force base in protest of British support for the war in Gaza. The group had also previously targeted Israeli defense contractors and other UK sites believed to be linked to the Israeli military. Supporters of Palestine Action are currently challenging the ban in court, arguing it violates human rights laws.
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