Police arrested over 400 people in London yesterday, Saturday, during a rally in support of Palestine Action. These arrests are in addition to the hundreds of others who have been detained in Britain since the organization was designated as “terrorist” and outlawed in early July, a move that has drawn criticism.
Law enforcement had warned from the outset that they would arrest anyone who publicly and explicitly expressed support for the movement, which was banned due to vandalism, particularly at an air force base.
Nevertheless, hundreds of people defied the risk and gathered yesterday midday in front of the British Parliament holding signs that read, “I oppose the genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
“Our government has decided to ban an organization. This is completely inappropriate, and it should spend more time trying to stop the genocide (in Gaza) than trying to arrest protesters,” said Nigel, a recycling company head, speaking to Agence France-Presse while holding a sign in favor of Palestine Action.
In total, the Metropolitan Police reported at least 425 arrests yesterday evening, the majority for supporting a proscribed organization and 25 for resisting arrest. The London police force stated that it deployed over 2,500 officers for the series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations scheduled for yesterday, including a march of more than 20,000 people during which there were “minimal” detentions.
However, the situation was very tense at a separate rally organized by the collective Defend Our Juries, which protested the ban on Palestine Action. The organization had continuously denounced “British complicity” with the state of Israel, especially due to sales of weapons and military equipment.
Before yesterday’s mobilization, 800 people had already been arrested since July. Of these, 138 have been charged with supporting or inciting support for a terrorist organization. The majority of them face six-month prison sentences. However, those considered organizers of rallies risk prison sentences of up to 14 years.
The co-founder of Palestine Action, Huda Amori, has appealed the movement’s ban. The hearing is expected to begin in November.
