More than 70 people arrested at protests supporting banned Palestine Action
Protesters sat underneath two statues in Parliament Square during the demonstration (James Manning/PA)
A further 16 arrests were made in Manchester and 13 people were also held in Cardiff at other related demonstrations on Saturday.
In London, two groups of protesters gathered underneath both the Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela statues in Parliament Square for the demonstration shortly after 1pm.
The individuals then wrote the message 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action' with black markers on pieces of cardboard, and silently held the signs aloft as they were surrounded by Metropolitan Police officers and members of the media.
Some demonstrators could be seen lying on top of each other on the floor as police searched their bags and took their ID cards and handmade signs.
Officers have made 41 arrests for showing support for a proscribed organisation.
One person has been arrested for common assault.
The area was cleared within the last hour.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) July 12, 2025
Officers could then be seen carrying away a number of protesters who were lying down, lifting them off the ground and into waiting police vans parked around the square.
Other standing protesters were also led away from the statues and placed into the vans.
The last of the protesters was lifted from the Nelson Mandela statue shortly after 2.30pm.
All but one of the 42 arrests were for showing support for a proscribed organisation, while one person was arrested for common assault, the Met said in a post shared on X.
🚨 BREAKING MANCHESTER – 16 ARRESTS
16 people have reportedly been arrested for terrorism offences in Manchester today at the foot of the Emmeline Pankhurst statue in St. Peter's Square.
Their 'crime'? Holding a sign that reads 'I OPPOSE GENOCIDE – I SUPPORT PALESTINE ACTION' pic.twitter.com/pIBXk9wQ34
— Defend our Juries (@DefendourJuries) July 12, 2025
Greater Manchester Police said it had arrested 16 people under the Terrorism Act after responding to a protest in St Peter's Square, Manchester, at around 2.30pm on Saturday.
South Wales Police also confirmed 13 people were arrested on suspicion of committing offences under the same Act during a protest in the vicinity of Central Square, Cardiff.
Scotland Yard said its stance remains that officers will act where criminal offences, including support of proscribed groups or organisations, are committed.
The force added that this includes 'chanting, wearing clothing or displaying articles such as flags, signs or logos'.
Protesters were arrested and taken away from Parliament Square in nearby police vans (James Manning/PA)
Police arrested 29 people at a similar protest in Parliament Square last weekend. They were detained for around 12 hours before being released on bail without charge, Defend Our Juries said.
The terror group designation means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The move to ban the organisation came after two Voyager aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on June 20, an incident claimed by Palestine Action, which police said caused about £7 million worth of damage.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action three days later, saying that the vandalism of the planes was 'disgraceful' and the group had a 'long history of unacceptable criminal damage'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Lack of victims' rights in new Bill ‘outrageous', says Barnaby Webber's mother
Discretion of the information will be left to hospital managers and probation services instead, with victims having no legal right to be informed, carry out a consultation or appeal any decisions. (Left to right) Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar were all killed in the Nottingham attacks in 2023 (Nottinghamshire Police/PA) Valdo Calocane, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, killed 19-year-old students Barnaby and Grace O'Malley-Kumar and 65-year-old caretaker Ian Coates before attempting to kill three other people, in a spate of attacks in the city in June 2023. He was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in January last year after admitting manslaughter by diminished responsibility and attempted murder. A judge-led public inquiry into the decisions made prior to the attacks was announced in February and is due to take place later this year. Emma Webber said the Bill would be 'a betrayal of every victim who has already been failed by this system' if it was passed into law in its current form. 'This must not happen. It is utterly outrageous that the Government would even contemplate this,' she said. 'So egregious are the failings by every single agency involved in every aspect of our tragedy that a statutory public inquiry is under way. 'A significant part of the inquiry will focus on the failings of 'hospital managers' and 'clinicians' who failed to do their jobs properly. Resulting in the monster who killed my beautiful child be allowed to roam the streets and hide in plain sight.' Ms Webber continued: 'Why has the Government chosen to include us as families in the proposals for the mental health bill, revision of our homicide laws and even the 10-year plan but conveniently chosen to ignore us on what is probably the one that will affect us the most?' Campaigners have called on victims minister Alex Davies-Jones to amend the Bill by guaranteeing all victims have the right to be consulted, receive necessary information and be informed of key decisions, and to create a formal appeal process when information is denied. Julian Hendy, founder of Hundred Families, said the Bill as it stands was 'not just a loophole, it's a kick in the teeth' for bereaved families and victims. She said: 'We are talking about offenders who have been convicted of the most serious of crimes, which cause extreme concern amongst the public. 'This is not about punishment. It's about basic fairness, compassion, and transparency. Victims and their families should not be shut out of decisions that affect their personal safety and recovery. 'We have a lamentably long track record in our country of ignoring victims of serious crime. That has to stop. There is a balance to be struck. 'The Government has a clear opportunity to put this right and they must not waste it.' The Victims and Courts Bill is currently at the report stage in the House of Commons after first being introduced to Parliament in May.
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Ofcom boss: Tech firms not given much power over how to protect children online
The regulator announced last month that sites containing potentially harmful content, like porn sites, will have to perform age checks on users as part of reforms which apply to both dedicated adult sites and social media, search or gaming services as part of the Online Safety Act. Ian Russell, who has been campaigning for improved online safety since his 14-year-old daughter Molly took her own life after viewing harmful content on social media, said Ofcom needs to 'act within the bounds of the Act in the strongest possible way' and communicate weaknesses in the legislation to the Government. Ofcom's chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes told BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: 'We've set out about five or six things that we think can work, like facial checks and using things where you've already been checked for your age, like credit cards or open banking. 'We said (to tech companies) you decide what works for your platform but we will be checking whether it's effective and those that don't put in those checks will hear from us with enforcement action.' Responding to the suggestion that Ofcom is giving companies a lot of power over how they implement measures, Dame Melanie said: 'No, we're not giving them that much power actually. What I'm saying is that when they're putting in age checks they need to work out what's going to work on their service. 'But, let me be really clear, what we are demanding to protect children and what does come in force at the end of this month they're going to need to tame those algorithms so that not just porn and suicide and self-harm material must not be shown but also violent content, dangerous challenges, misogyny, all of that must not be fed actively to kids on their feeds.' Pressed on why those types of content are not being blocked altogether, the chief executive said: 'What Parliament decided was that there should be an absolute block on suicide and self-harm material and pornography for under-18s and, then, what we've done is also add to that other types of content that we think is really harmful for children.' She added: 'I'm not a politician and I think it's incredibly important that Ofcom respects the role that we have which is to implement the laws that we've been given. 'If Parliament decides to widen those towards mis- and disinformation, or wider issues around addiction for the kids, for example, then of course, Ofcom stands ready to implement that.' Mr Russell said on the programme that it 'sounds promising' but the proof will be in what happens in practice. He said: '(Ofcom) need to act within the bounds of the Act in the strongest possible way. 'They're sitting in the middle pushed on one side by families who've lost people like me and pushed on the other side by the power of the big tech platforms. 'I also think it's really important that Melanie starts to talk back to Government because Ofcom is clear about where the act is weak and she needs to push back and communicate those weaknesses to the Government so that we can make change where necessary.' He said the charity he set up in his daughter's name, the Molly Rose Foundation, will be monitoring how harmful content online is reduced. Any company that fails to comply with the checks by July 25 could be fined or could be made unavailable in the UK through a court order. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said those changes in the law are 'really important', adding it was now up to technology companies to put in 'robust safeguards' for children using their platforms. But she suggested it was not the end of ministers' plans, telling the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: 'We are very clear as a Government that this is the foundation for a safer online experience for children, but it is not the end of the conversation. 'Peter Kyle, the Technology Secretary, has been clear that he wants to look at things such as addictive habits and how we create healthier habits for children online in the same way as we talk about healthier physical habits for children.' Ministers 'will keep under review what is required', Ms Alexander added. Ofcom research found that 8% of eight to 14-year-olds in the UK had visited an online porn site or app on smartphones, tablets or computers in a month. Last month, the regulator said it had launched a string of investigations into 4chan, a porn site operator and several file-sharing platforms over suspected failures to protect children, after it received complaints about illegal activity and potential sharing of child abuse images. A report looking into the use and effectiveness of age assurance methods will be published by Ofcom next year.
North Wales Live
2 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Woman's legal claim after ‘genocide' pillowcase protest in North Wales
A former Bangor University student is taking legal action following a dramatic protest she made at her graduation. Aishah AlBader claimed her right to freedom of expression was denied when she was dragged off stage for making a Palestine protest. The Kuwaiti national has taken the first step in civil proceedings against the Gwynedd university under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). She is alleging assault/battery, false imprisonment and violating freedom of expression. In a 20-page letter sent to Bangor University, Aishah claimed she was forcibly removed from the stage by security guards when she tried to peacefully protest. She refused to shake the Vice Chancellor's hand, handing him a leaflet about the university's investments, and walked across the stage with a pillowcase bearing the message ' Bangor University invests in Genocide'. Aishah said: 'As I walked up to graduate, I could only think of Gaza - of the students who will never get to graduate, whose lives, dreams, and hopes have been destroyed under Israel's ongoing genocide. Tens of thousands have been killed, entire families wiped out, and schools and universities reduced to rubble.' She undertook the protest as a gesture against Bangor University's investments in companies she claimed were 'complicit in human rights violations against Palestinians and the unlawful occupation of Palestine'. The university said it has an ethical approach to investments and is currently reviewing its policy. Aishah said she could not accept my degree 'in silence', adding: 'I knew I had to use that platform to centre those oppressed and dehumanised in Palestine. So, I held up a pillowcase reading 'Bangor University invests in genocide'. In response, I was dragged off stage, injured and humiliated." She continued: "I lost professional opportunities I had worked hard to earn and lived in fear and uncertainty of the future. My parents travelled thousands of miles to watch my graduation, and it should have been a moment of joy and pride. "I don't believe that holding a pillowcase should ever provoke violence and the pillowcase I held at my graduation revealed a truth that the university is desperate to hide. 'By bringing this case, I hope to affirm that no student should be punished for speaking out against injustices across the globe and in Palestine.' Aishah has hired London legal firm Gold Jennings to represent her. Her lawyers, Alexander Hogg and Jessica Harrison, said their client had intended to peacefully protest at the graduation ceremony. Her legal team said: 'Instead of facilitating Ms AlBader's non-disruptive and peaceful protest, around four university security officers forcibly dragged her from the stage before removing her from the building. She sustained physical injuries from the incident. 'Our client was part of the movement on Bangor University's campus to end the university's continued investments in companies on the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions list. 'Her protest was intended to highlight the university's financial ties to firms complicit in what the International Court of Justice found in January 2024 is a plausible genocide in Gaza and the unlawful occupation of Palestine. 'Gold Jennings has been instructed by Ms AlBader to bring a civil claim for assault/battery, false imprisonment, and breach of her rights under Article 8 and 10 ECHR. As things stand, we have sent a letter of claim to Bangor University and are awaiting the university's response.' Alexander Hogg of Gold Jennings said: 'Safeguarding freedom of expression and the right to protest requires upholding them not only when it is convenient but when it is uncomfortable – such as during graduation ceremonies, when principled students draw much needed public attention to universities' unethical investments. 'Moreover, ensuring that universities are held to account when they violate students' right to protest and free speech, such as in the case of my client, not only protects the right to protest and speak out against what is happening in Palestine, it protects the right to protest and speak out on all issues of public importance for everyone. 'My client has taken a brave and first step in holding Bangor University accountable for preventing her from exercising her right to freedom of speech.' A Bangor University spokesperson said: 'We're aware of a claim. As this is an ongoing matter we are unable to comment.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Protest camps During the last academic year, protest groups staged encampments and occupations at universities across the UK, including Bangor and Cardiff. A Palestine protest camp was set up on university land outside the Pontio building in Bangor in May 2024. It lasted a year before the university issued an eviction notice in May this year, followed by a possession order in June. The 'notice to vacate' was handed to the protestors. But when the deadline to vacate passed without compliance, the university said it 'made the difficult decision' to seek a 'possession order' through the courts. This was granted on June 12. A Bangor University spokesperson said at the time: 'This legal action was a necessary step to bring an end to the ongoing disruption to university property and operations. Our priority remains towards ensuring a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members of our community.' A statement on the university's website, posted in May 2024 and still there, sets out the institution's 'ethical and sustainable' investments policy. It says: 'The university does not choose individual investments itself but has a framework that our investment managers use to create our portfolio. 'Our policy stipulates that we expect a high level of environmental, sustainability and governance (ESG) measures to be in place for any potential investment. The university also screens out potential investments in weapons, armaments, alcohol, gambling, tobacco, adult entertainment and fossil fuel companies. 'Bangor University is currently reviewing this investment policy, with initial discussions having already taken place at the investment committee of which the president of the Bangor University Students' Union is a member. 'The university expects that the policy review will be completed over the summer, and that the revised investment policy will be used as a framework by its investment managers to guide future decisions.' Action was also taken to end a Palestine protest camp at Cardiff University. Anyone picketing on Cardiff University property risks being jailed following a High Court injunction obtained in response to the now-disbanded Palestine camp outside the main building.
