Almost 1,600 People Detained in London Protests Against Palestine Action Ban

British police arrested nearly 1,600 people demonstrating in London against a ban on Palestine Action, a group deemed a terrorist organization by the government. The majority of those arrested, 857, were detained for supporting a proscribed organization under the Terrorism Act. Protesters argue that the ban on Palestine Action is an unwarranted restriction on free speech and the right to protest.

Key Takeaways:

• Almost 1,600 people have been detained since the ban on Palestine Action was implemented two months ago, with 890 arrests occurring at a single demonstration on Saturday.
• The vast majority of those arrested, 857, were detained for supporting a proscribed organization under the Terrorism Act.
• 33 individuals were detained for other offenses, including 17 for assaulting police officers.
• 1,500 people participated in the demonstration outside Parliament, with more than 700 arrested at earlier protests.
• 138 people have been charged under the Terrorism Act since the ban was implemented.
• Mike Higgins, a 62-year-old blind and wheelchair-bound individual, was arrested for supporting Palestine Action and returned to demonstrate on Saturday, calling the designation a "joke."

Statistics:

• 1,600: Total number of people detained since the ban on Palestine Action was implemented.
• 890: Number of people arrested at Saturday's demonstration in London.
• 857: Number of people arrested for supporting a proscribed organization under the Terrorism Act at Saturday's demonstration.
• 33: Number of individuals detained for other offenses, including 17 for assaulting police officers.
• 1,500: Number of people participating in the demonstration outside Parliament.
• 138: Number of people charged under the Terrorism Act since the ban was implemented.
• 2 months: Time since the ban on Palestine Action was implemented.

Sources:

• The Metropolitan Police Report
• Defend Our Juries, the campaign group organizing the protest