Green Party peer says she will vote against proscribing Palestine Action
During a talk at Glastonbury Festival's Speakers Forum with Palestine Action activist Francesca Nadin, Baroness Jenny Jones said people inside the Lords had told her she 'should not be sharing a platform' with the group, but she added she was 'proud' to be with them.
It comes after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she would proscribe Palestine Action and would lay an order before Parliament in the coming days to make membership and support for them illegal, after a number of the group's members vandalised two planes at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
Following the talk, Baroness Jones told the PA news agency: 'I've worked on policing issues, civil liberties and protests for more than 25 years, and I know very clearly, very well, that what the Government is doing to Palestine Action is not a legal act.
'They are not a terrorist organisation and, to be honest, if the Government proscribes them, there's going to be an outcry.
'Presumably, the legislation will come to the House of Lords, and I will definitely vote against it.
'It is bizarre, because it almost looks as if the Government is frightened of protest. I mean, that's something that I've seen with the Conservative government, but now with the Labour Government, we're seeing it as well.
'They actually don't like opposition of any sort, and that's not democracy, and what they are planning to do is not democratic.'
The 75-year-old said the group, along with fellow activist organisation Youth Demand, 'represent an energy and a future that quite honestly is beyond me at the moment', adding she was 'furious' with the Government during the talk.
She told PA: 'If some of us in the House of Lords vote against proscribing Palestine Action, will that make us liable for prosecution in some way or another?
'They've got a huge number of supporters, 250,000 at least, and I'm sure this particular action by the Government will give them even more supporters.
'The Government is going to find it very difficult to suppress the protest.'
Baroness Jones spoke as Irish rap trio Kneecap, who have seen one of their members charged with a terror offence, prepare to perform on the West Holts Stage at 4pm on Saturday.
Before the festival, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it would not be 'appropriate' for them to perform their slot at Worthy Farm.
Rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh was charged for allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in London in November last year.
Last week, the 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates' Court in 'Free Mo Chara' T-shirts.
He was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on August 20.
On Thursday evening, the rap trio posted a film to social media, titled Stop The Genocide, which includes testimonies from a Palestinian activist and plastic surgeon on the war in Gaza.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
31 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Mo Chara says ‘I'm a free man' as Kneecap take to Glastonbury stage
Kneecap member Mo Chara said 'Glastonbury, I'm a free man' as the Irish rap trio took to the West Holts Stage at the festival on Saturday. The group, who hail from Belfast, have been in the headlines after member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence. The 27-year-old wore a keffiyeh during the set, while member JJ O Dochartaigh, who performs under the name DJ Provai, wore his signature tri-coloured balaclava as well as a T-shirt that said: 'We are all Palestine Action' in reference to the soon-to-be banned campaign group. News broadcasts criticising the hip hop trio played from the sound system before they walked onto the stage were booed by the Glastonbury Festival audience. Access to the area around the West Holts Stage was closed around 45 minutes before their performance after groups of fans arrived to form a sea of Irish and Palestinian flags. Rap punk duo Bob Vylan performed on the stage before Kneecap and led the crowd in chants of 'Free, free Palestine' and 'Death, death to the IDF'. In the run up to the festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset, several politicians called for Kneecap to be removed from the line-up and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said their performance would not be 'appropriate'. Earlier on Saturday, the BBC confirmed they would not be live-streaming the set but said the performance is likely to be made available on-demand later. A BBC spokesperson said: 'As the broadcast partner, the BBC is bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers. 'While the BBC doesn't ban artists, our plans ensure that our programming meets our editorial guidelines. 'We don't always live-stream every act from the main stages and look to make an on-demand version of Kneecap's performance available on our digital platforms, alongside more than 90 other sets.' It is understood the BBC needs to consider the performance before making a final decision. The band said on Instagram: 'The propaganda wing of the regime has just contacted us…. 'They WILL put our set from Glastonbury today on the iPlayer later this evening for your viewing pleasure.' O hAnnaidh, 27, was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah' at a gig in November last year. On June 18 the rapper was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates' Court in Free Mo Chara T-shirts. He was released on unconditional bail until the next hearing at the same court on August 20. Ahead of the group's performance, Gemma Gibson, 41, from Newcastle told the PA news agency that she was 'really excited' to see Kneecap perform. Asked if their set should have been cancelled amid the ongoing controversy, she said: 'Well, that would be completely against everything that Glastonbury stands for… This is where they should be.' Alternative metal band Deftones were due to play on Saturday night but their slot has now been filled by rapper Skepta. A social media post from Glastonbury Festival said: 'Deftones have been forced to cancel tonight's 8.30pm Other Stage performance due to illness in the band. 'Skepta will kindly step-in, taking the stage at 9pm. 'He says: 'Let's go!!! No crew, no production but am ready to shut Glastonbury down. Victory lap time. Pre-Big Smoke 2025!'' Playing on Saturday afternoon was Leeds rock band Kaiser Chiefs and US star Brandi Carlile, who released an album with Sir Elton John earlier in the year. Irish singer CMAT, who played the Pyramid Stage on Friday, performed a secret set at the BBC Introducing stage on Saturday. Neil Young, best known for songs such as Rockin' In The Free World, Like A Hurricane and Cinnamon Girl, will headline the Pyramid Stage on Saturday night with his band the Chrome Hearts. The BBC will broadcast Young's set after previously saying it would not be shown 'at the artist's request'. Another act expected to draw a big crowd is Brat star Charli XCX, who will headline the Other Stage around the same time Young and Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii will also perform. Celebrities who have been spotted at the festival include singer Harry Styles, Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne, The Crown actor Emma Corrin, and Stranger Things star Joseph Quinn. Performing in the coveted Sunday legends slot this year is Sir Rod Stewart, who previously said he will be joined by his former Faces band member Ronnie Wood, as well as other guests.
Scottish Sun
37 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
IDF ‘assassinates Hamas mastermind of October 7' who founded terror group's military wing in targeted Israeli airstrike
He reportedly led the force build-up, training and planned the massacre TARGETED 'EXECUTION' IDF 'assassinates Hamas mastermind of October 7' who founded terror group's military wing in targeted Israeli airstrike Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ISRAEL says it has killed one of the last masterminds behind the bloody October 7 attacks. Senior Hamas commander Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa was "eliminated" in a targeted airstrike on Gaza City, according to the IDF. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Senior Hamas commander Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa was reportedly killed by the IDF The Israel Defense Forces said Al-Issa — described as a founding member of Hamas' military wing — was 'eliminated' in an operation on the Sabra neighbourhood. 'Issa led Hamas' force build-up, training, and planned the October 7 massacre,' the IDF posted on X. As Head of Combat Support, he advanced aerial & naval attacks against Israelis. 'The IDF & [Israel Security Agency] will continue to locate and eliminate all terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre.' According to Palestinian reports, Al-Issa was killed along with his wife and grandson, though this has not been independently confirmed. The IDF later said it had verified his death, according to The Jerusalem Post. Al-Issa is widely believed to have played a pivotal role in orchestrating the October 7 bloodbath on southern Israel that triggered the current war, with terrorists slaughtering kidnapping dozens of innocent people. The military described him as a 'central knowledge figure' and a high-value target who was instrumental in building Hamas' training and weapons programmes. The IDF said in a statement: 'In the past, Issa led Hamas' force-buildup efforts in the Gaza Strip, was one of the founders of its military wing, served as Head of the Training Headquarters, and was a member of Hamas' General Security Council. 'Additionally, Issa played a significant role in the planning and execution of the brutal October 7 massacre.' Security officials further claimed he co-founded the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades' military academy. There, he oversaw the training of thousands of fighters and helped shape the group's technological capabilities. He reportedly brought extensive combat experience from Iraq and Syria when he arrived in Gaza from Syria in 2005. His killing comes just a week after the IDF and Shin Bet said they had eliminated Ali Saadi Wasfi al-Agha, a senior figure in the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement who was allegedly set to take over as its leader. Israel has also ramped up strikes on the Kataib al-Mujahideen's leadership — a smaller but reportedly highly lethal armed wing linked to the October 7 atrocities, including the abduction and murder of Israeli civilians and foreign workers. The latest elimination of Al-Issa underscores Israel's ongoing campaign to hunt down Hamas commanders it holds responsible for the massacre that set off months of relentless fighting in Gaza. The IDF vowed its operations would continue until all those behind the attacks are 'brought to justice.' More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Fresh blow for Musk's DOGE as it loses power to award $500B in federal funds
The US DOGE Service, the repurposed government agency tasked with carrying out Elon Musk 's Department of Government Efficiency agenda to cut a trillion dollars in federal spending, has reportedly lost access to a key government website responsible for distributing roughly $500 billion in annual awards, the latest blow to the initiative after Musk's acrimonious split from the Trump administration earlier this month. Earlier this year, DOGE reportedly assumed effective control of a clearinghouse for federal funding opportunities, requiring new proposals to be sent to a DOGE-controlled mailbox for review before being posted. In the ensuing months since the April policy change, grant opportunities reportedly piled up inside the mailbox, leaving funds at risk of going unspent before the end of the government fiscal year at the end of September. On Thursday, federal officials were instructed to stop running grant proposals through DOGE, The Washington Post reports. 'Robust controls remain in place, with DOGE personnel embedded at each agency, assisting secretaries' offices in reviewing grants daily,' the White House said in a statement about the report. 'Agency secretaries and senior advisors will continue to implement and leverage the controls initially established by DOGE to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, retaining full agency discretion to determine the appropriate flow of funds at the project level.' The reported process change is the latest hurdle for DOGE. The effort, whose figures have repeatedly been shown to be filled with errors and omissions, appears to have fallen short of Musk's bold promises to rapidly cut major portions of federal spending, with some estimates pegging the true figure of savings achieved at about $180 billion, compared to Musk's goal of some $1 trillion. Numerous DOGE efforts have been paused or shot down in court, and federal agencies are scrambling to hire back many of the employees laid off in Musk's slash-and-burn revamp of federal spending. Still, even with Musk out, the administration remains committed to achieving some major reductions, including a DOGE-style clawback of $9.4 billion in cuts to foreign aid and pubic media spending that's already passed the House. Russell Vought, a major force behind the arch-conservative Project 2025 police blueprint and current director of the Office of Management and Budget, has said DOGE's work will continue apace even without Musk. "Many DOGE employees and [full-time employees] are at the agencies, working almost as in-house consultants as a part of the agency's leadership," he testified this month. "And I think, you know, the leadership of DOGE is now much more decentralized."
