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Police Arrest 29 People at London Protest in Support of Banned Palestine Action Group

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Protesters gathered in Parliament Square on Saturday afternoon, just hours after Palestine Action lost a Court of Appeal challenge against a ban that makes membership or support for the group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The Metropolitan Police responded to the protest, arresting 29 people on suspicion of terror offences, including four individuals who had already been charged in connection with an incident at RAF Brize Norton in June. The ban on Palestine Action, which was announced after two aircraft were damaged, has sparked widespread criticism, with supporters arguing that the group's actions have been non-violent.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Metropolitan Police arrested 29 people on suspicion of terror offences, including 22 individuals who were taken into custody.
  • Palestine Action was banned on Saturday, making membership or support for the group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
  • The ban was announced after two aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in June, an incident claimed by Palestine Action, which caused around £7 million of damage.
  • The protest in Parliament Square was sparked by the banning of Palestine Action, with supporters arguing that the group's actions have been non-violent.
  • The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action on June 23, stating that the vandalism of the two planes was "disgraceful" and that the group had a "long history of unacceptable criminal damage".
  • MPs in the Commons voted 385 to 26 in favour of proscribing the group on Wednesday, before the House of Lords backed the move without a vote on Thursday.
  • Four people have been charged in connection with the incident at Brize Norton, including Amy Gardiner-Gibson, 29, Jony Cink, 24, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie, 36, and Lewis Chiaramello, 22.

Statistics:

  • 29 people were arrested on suspicion of terror offences.
  • The Metropolitan Police took 22 individuals into custody.
  • The damage caused by the incident at RAF Brize Norton was estimated to be around £7 million.
  • The protest in Parliament Square took place on Saturday, just hours after Palestine Action was banned.
  • The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action on June 23.
  • MPs in the Commons voted 385 to 26 in favour of proscribing the group on Wednesday.

Sources:

  • Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk)
  • Yvette Cooper (Home Secretary)
  • Parliament Square protest footage
  • RAF Brize Norton incident report
  • Westminster Magistrates' Court records

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