Latest news with #PalestineCoalition
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
More than 100 arrested across UK at protests related to Palestine Action
More than 100 people have been arrested across the UK at events related to Palestine Action, in the third week of demonstrations since the group was banned as a terrorist organisation. Demonstrations were held in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Truro on Saturday as part of a campaign coordinated by Defend Our Juries. In London's Parliament Square, beside the Mahatma Gandhi statue, police officers surrounded people at an event at which signs were held that read 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action'. Officers confiscated the placards and searched the bags of those arrested. Some people were carried away while others were led away in handcuffs. The Metropolitan police said 55 people had been arrested in Parliament Square under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for displaying placards in support of Palestine Action. The force added a further nine people were arrested for supporting Palestine Action within a separate large-scale march to Whitehall by the Palestine Coalition. Defend Our Juries said on X: 'The UK government is complicit in Israel's genocide against Palestinians. They are attempting to silence those who expose this complicity.' A woman who was detained in Parliament Square said: 'We demand that Palestine Action is de-proscribed. 'Our government is not only arming a genocide, they are using terrorism laws to silence people who speak out. 'Palestine Action are campaigning for peace. They are dismantling weapons factories.' Greater Manchester police said they arrested 16 people, who remained in custody for questioning. Avon and Somerset police said 17 people were arrested during a protest in Bristol. At Truro Cathedral in Cornwall, eight people were arrested after protesters gathered to show support for Palestine Action. . Devon and Cornwall police said in a statement that about 30 protesters were involved in a 'peaceful' Defend Our Juries demonstration. 'A number of placards which were contrary to the law remained on display despite police advice,' the force said. 'Eight people, two men and six women, were arrested on suspicion of offences under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000. They remain in police custody.' At a high court hearing on Monday, the co-founder of Palestine Action, Huda Ammori, will ask for permission to challenge the home secretary's decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism laws. UN experts, civil liberties groups, cultural figures and hundreds of lawyers have condemned the ban as draconian and said it sets a dangerous precedent by conflating protest with terrorism. More than 70 people were arrested last week at demonstrations across the UK where references to Palestine Action were allegedly made. Police Scotland arrested a man in Glasgow on Friday 'for displaying a sign expressing support for a proscribed organisation'. The sign read 'Genocide in Palestine, time to take action' with the words 'Palestine' and 'action' larger than the others. Another man wearing a T-shirt with the same slogan was charged with a similar offence last weekend at the TRNSMT music festival in Glasgow. The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced plans to ban Palestine Action last month, days after activists from the group broke into RAF Brize Norton and defaced two military aircraft with spray paint. The ban means Palestine Action has become the first direct action protest group to be banned under the Terrorism Act, placing it in the same category as Islamic State, al-Qaida and the far-right group National Action. The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know. If you have something to share on this subject you can contact us confidentially using the following methods. Secure Messaging in the Guardian app The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said. If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select 'Secure Messaging'. SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post See our guide at for alternative methods and the pros and cons of each.
Rhyl Journal
4 days ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Met warns against supporting proscribed groups ahead of London protests
An increased police presence is expected in Westminster on Saturday when a number of demonstrations are due to take place, including a large-scale march by the Palestine Coalition and a static counter-protest by Stop the Hate. The Met said it also anticipates further protest activity in support of the recently proscribed group Palestine Action, which is now banned under the Terrorism Act. Seventy people were arrested at similar demonstrations in Parliament Square over the past two weekends, and the location of any action this Saturday is yet to be confirmed. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is leading the policing operation, said officers are experienced in managing events of this nature but warned that those who use the protests as an opportunity to express support for proscribed groups risk serious legal consequences. 'This Saturday's Palestine Coalition protest is the first large-scale event of its kind since the proscription of Palestine Action and I want to make sure the implications of that change in the law are fully understood,' he said. 'Nobody will be committing an offence by simply supporting the Palestinian cause, taking part in the march or carrying flags, banners or other signs providing they don't stray into hate speech or other offences. 'However, those who see this as an opportunity to test the limits of the law by expressing support for Palestine Action, whether at a standalone protest or as part of the Palestine Coalition protest, will likely be committing an offence and will very likely be arrested.' He added: 'I would urge those people to consider the seriousness of being arrested under the Terrorism Act and the very real long-term implications – from travel, to employment, to finances – that such an arrest is likely to have for their future.' Mr Adelekan also said the force is continuing to investigate 'offensive chanting' that took place at Glastonbury Festival and has been repeated at recent protests in London. He said officers would assess chants at Saturday's protest 'based on the specific circumstances' – noting that words shouted generally during the march may not constitute an offence, but could do so if directed at individuals in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. 'At previous protests, the area between the main march and any counter protest has seen the most heated exchanges. Officers will be particularly alert to conduct, including chanting, in this area and will be working with stewards to ensure crowds keep moving past this point,' he said. 'Where they become aware of behaviour that crosses the line from protest into criminality they will intervene and take appropriate action.' He said the best way for protesters to stay within the law is to avoid 'threatening, abusive and insulting language' or any support for banned groups. The Palestine Coalition march will begin at Victoria Embankment and proceed via Westminster Bridge, York Road, Waterloo Bridge, the Strand, and Whitehall, where speeches will be held.
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Met warns against supporting proscribed groups ahead of London protests
An increased police presence is expected in Westminster on Saturday when a number of demonstrations are due to take place, including a large-scale march by the Palestine Coalition and a static counter-protest by Stop the Hate. The Met said it also anticipates further protest activity in support of the recently proscribed group Palestine Action, which is now banned under the Terrorism Act. Seventy people were arrested at similar demonstrations in Parliament Square over the past two weekends, and the location of any action this Saturday is yet to be confirmed. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is leading the policing operation, said officers are experienced in managing events of this nature but warned that those who use the protests as an opportunity to express support for proscribed groups risk serious legal consequences. 'This Saturday's Palestine Coalition protest is the first large-scale event of its kind since the proscription of Palestine Action and I want to make sure the implications of that change in the law are fully understood,' he said. 'Nobody will be committing an offence by simply supporting the Palestinian cause, taking part in the march or carrying flags, banners or other signs providing they don't stray into hate speech or other offences. 'However, those who see this as an opportunity to test the limits of the law by expressing support for Palestine Action, whether at a standalone protest or as part of the Palestine Coalition protest, will likely be committing an offence and will very likely be arrested.' He added: 'I would urge those people to consider the seriousness of being arrested under the Terrorism Act and the very real long-term implications – from travel, to employment, to finances – that such an arrest is likely to have for their future.' Mr Adelekan also said the force is continuing to investigate 'offensive chanting' that took place at Glastonbury Festival and has been repeated at recent protests in London. He said officers would assess chants at Saturday's protest 'based on the specific circumstances' – noting that words shouted generally during the march may not constitute an offence, but could do so if directed at individuals in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. 'At previous protests, the area between the main march and any counter protest has seen the most heated exchanges. Officers will be particularly alert to conduct, including chanting, in this area and will be working with stewards to ensure crowds keep moving past this point,' he said. 'Where they become aware of behaviour that crosses the line from protest into criminality they will intervene and take appropriate action.' He said the best way for protesters to stay within the law is to avoid 'threatening, abusive and insulting language' or any support for banned groups. The Palestine Coalition march will begin at Victoria Embankment and proceed via Westminster Bridge, York Road, Waterloo Bridge, the Strand, and Whitehall, where speeches will be held.
South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Met warns against supporting proscribed groups ahead of London protests
An increased police presence is expected in Westminster on Saturday when a number of demonstrations are due to take place, including a large-scale march by the Palestine Coalition and a static counter-protest by Stop the Hate. The Met said it also anticipates further protest activity in support of the recently proscribed group Palestine Action, which is now banned under the Terrorism Act. Seventy people were arrested at similar demonstrations in Parliament Square over the past two weekends, and the location of any action this Saturday is yet to be confirmed. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is leading the policing operation, said officers are experienced in managing events of this nature but warned that those who use the protests as an opportunity to express support for proscribed groups risk serious legal consequences. 'This Saturday's Palestine Coalition protest is the first large-scale event of its kind since the proscription of Palestine Action and I want to make sure the implications of that change in the law are fully understood,' he said. 'Nobody will be committing an offence by simply supporting the Palestinian cause, taking part in the march or carrying flags, banners or other signs providing they don't stray into hate speech or other offences. 'However, those who see this as an opportunity to test the limits of the law by expressing support for Palestine Action, whether at a standalone protest or as part of the Palestine Coalition protest, will likely be committing an offence and will very likely be arrested.' He added: 'I would urge those people to consider the seriousness of being arrested under the Terrorism Act and the very real long-term implications – from travel, to employment, to finances – that such an arrest is likely to have for their future.' Mr Adelekan also said the force is continuing to investigate 'offensive chanting' that took place at Glastonbury Festival and has been repeated at recent protests in London. He said officers would assess chants at Saturday's protest 'based on the specific circumstances' – noting that words shouted generally during the march may not constitute an offence, but could do so if directed at individuals in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. 'At previous protests, the area between the main march and any counter protest has seen the most heated exchanges. Officers will be particularly alert to conduct, including chanting, in this area and will be working with stewards to ensure crowds keep moving past this point,' he said. 'Where they become aware of behaviour that crosses the line from protest into criminality they will intervene and take appropriate action.' He said the best way for protesters to stay within the law is to avoid 'threatening, abusive and insulting language' or any support for banned groups. The Palestine Coalition march will begin at Victoria Embankment and proceed via Westminster Bridge, York Road, Waterloo Bridge, the Strand, and Whitehall, where speeches will be held.
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Met warns against supporting proscribed groups ahead of London protests
An increased police presence is expected in Westminster on Saturday when a number of demonstrations are due to take place, including a large-scale march by the Palestine Coalition and a static counter-protest by Stop the Hate. The Met said it also anticipates further protest activity in support of the recently proscribed group Palestine Action, which is now banned under the Terrorism Act. Seventy people were arrested at similar demonstrations in Parliament Square over the past two weekends, and the location of any action this Saturday is yet to be confirmed. A previous pro-Palestine march (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is leading the policing operation, said officers are experienced in managing events of this nature but warned that those who use the protests as an opportunity to express support for proscribed groups risk serious legal consequences. 'This Saturday's Palestine Coalition protest is the first large-scale event of its kind since the proscription of Palestine Action and I want to make sure the implications of that change in the law are fully understood,' he said. 'Nobody will be committing an offence by simply supporting the Palestinian cause, taking part in the march or carrying flags, banners or other signs providing they don't stray into hate speech or other offences. 'However, those who see this as an opportunity to test the limits of the law by expressing support for Palestine Action, whether at a standalone protest or as part of the Palestine Coalition protest, will likely be committing an offence and will very likely be arrested.' He added: 'I would urge those people to consider the seriousness of being arrested under the Terrorism Act and the very real long-term implications – from travel, to employment, to finances – that such an arrest is likely to have for their future.' Mr Adelekan also said the force is continuing to investigate 'offensive chanting' that took place at Glastonbury Festival and has been repeated at recent protests in London. He said officers would assess chants at Saturday's protest 'based on the specific circumstances' – noting that words shouted generally during the march may not constitute an offence, but could do so if directed at individuals in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. 'At previous protests, the area between the main march and any counter protest has seen the most heated exchanges. Officers will be particularly alert to conduct, including chanting, in this area and will be working with stewards to ensure crowds keep moving past this point,' he said. 'Where they become aware of behaviour that crosses the line from protest into criminality they will intervene and take appropriate action.' He said the best way for protesters to stay within the law is to avoid 'threatening, abusive and insulting language' or any support for banned groups. The Palestine Coalition march will begin at Victoria Embankment and proceed via Westminster Bridge, York Road, Waterloo Bridge, the Strand, and Whitehall, where speeches will be held.
