Hundreds Arrested in London Protests Supporting Banned Group Palestine Action

Hundreds of people gathered in central London to support the banned group Palestine Action, with 200 arrests made by the Metropolitan Police for expressing support for the organisation. The protests, organised by Defend Our Juries, took place in Parliament Square, where demonstrators could be seen writing messages on placards and singing pro-Palestinian chants. The police stated that they would arrest anyone showing support for Palestine Action, a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Key Takeaways:

• The Metropolitan Police made 200 arrests for showing support for Palestine Action, a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000.
• Four additional arrests were made for assaulting officers during the protests.
• Those arrested were taken to prisoner processing points in the Westminster area, with some bailed and others taken to custody suites across London.
• The police lifted protesters sat or lying on the ground and escorted them away, with onlookers applauding the protesters and shouting "Shame on you" at the police.
• A separate group of protesters were arrested at a Palestine Coalition march, with one arrest made for a placard showing support for Palestine Action.
• Membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison under the Terrorism Act 2000.
• The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, implemented the ban on Palestine Action last month, and hundreds have been arrested in the wave of Defend Our Juries protests across the UK.
• The Home Office stated that freedom to protest is a cornerstone of democracy and that the decision to proscribe Palestine Action was based on strong security advice and expert cross-government review.

Statistics:

• 200 arrests made by the Metropolitan Police for showing support for Palestine Action.
• 4 additional arrests made for assaulting officers during the protests.
• Up to 14 years in prison for membership or support of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000.
• Hundreds arrested in the wave of Defend Our Juries protests across the UK since the ban on Palestine Action was implemented.
• Three people were charged with supporting Palestine Action earlier this week, including Jeremy Shippam, 71, Judit Murray, 71, and Fiona Maclean, 53.

Sources:

• "Byline: Berk Uyal"
• Metropolitan Police statement
• Scotland Yard statement
• Home Office statement (Home Secretary Yvette Cooper)
• Previous articles on the ban on Palestine Action and the wave of Defend Our Juries protests.