Latest news with #SueParfitt
Al Jazeera
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Retired priest arrested for supporting Palestine Action
Sue Parfitt is an 83-year-old retired priest who was arrested for protesting in solidarity with Palestine Action, a group designated as a terrorist organisation by the UK government. In this Unmute, she talks about what led her to stand against the government's decision.
The Guardian
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Arrests for second week running at London event that references Palestine Action
There have been arrests for a second week running at an event in central London at which references to Palestine Action were made. Last week, 29 people who had gathered close to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament Square, holding signs that mentioned the group, were arrested by Metropolitan police officers. Among them was an 83-year-old former priest, the Rev Sue Parfitt. On Saturday, shortly after 1pm, two small groups of protesters demonstrated again in Parliament Square, sitting at the steps of the statues of both Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. The action was organised by the campaign group Defend Our Juries, which said more demonstrations were due to take place elsewhere in London and in Manchester, Cardiff and Derry. At 1.20pm, the Met released a statement on X that said: 'We are responding to a protest in support of Palestine Action. Officers are in the process of making arrests. We will issue any updates on this thread.' Shortly after, Defend Our Juries said on X: 'Over 300 police officers have been seen to carry away dozens of people from the foot of statues of Nelson Mandela and Gandhi for alleged 'terrorism offences'. Those arrested are accused of holding signs in support of Palestine Action.' Met officers formed a cordon around those demonstrating, who wrote the message 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action' with black markers on pieces of cardboard, and silently held the signs aloft. Officers could be seen searching the bags of protesters and taking their ID cards. Some demonstrators could be seen lying on top of each other while police held their handmade signs. The protesters were then led away from the statues by officers into waiting police vans parked around the square. Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, announced plans to ban Palestine Action late last month, days after activists from the group allegedly broke into RAF Brize Norton and defaced two military aircraft with spray paint. MPs voted in favour of proscribing the group last Wednesday. The House of Lords backed the move without a vote the day after. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 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. 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.
Glasgow Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Protesters ‘to hold banners in support of banned Palestine Action' over weekend
Last weekend, the Metropolitan Police arrested 29 people who demonstrated in support of the group in London, including Reverend Sue Parfitt, 83. Campaign group Defend Our Juries said more demonstrations will take place in the capital, as well as in Manchester, Cardiff and Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on Saturday. A group will gather in Parliament Square from 1pm, and Defend Our Juries said protesters will hold signs saying: 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.' 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'. The designation as a terror group 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 was announced 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 of damage. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action on June 23, saying 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, majority 359, in favour of proscribing the group, before the House of Lords backed the move without a vote. A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries said: 'Are these people holding up signs serious criminals committing terror crimes, who should be locked up for 14 years? 'Or are they ordinary, decent people, exercising their democratic rights and taking a stand against corruption, injustice and genocide? Make up your own mind.'
South Wales Guardian
11-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Protesters ‘to hold banners in support of banned Palestine Action' over weekend
Last weekend, the Metropolitan Police arrested 29 people who demonstrated in support of the group in London, including Reverend Sue Parfitt, 83. Campaign group Defend Our Juries said more demonstrations will take place in the capital, as well as in Manchester, Cardiff and Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on Saturday. A group will gather in Parliament Square from 1pm, and Defend Our Juries said protesters will hold signs saying: 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.' 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'. The designation as a terror group 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 was announced 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 of damage. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action on June 23, saying 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, majority 359, in favour of proscribing the group, before the House of Lords backed the move without a vote. A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries said: 'Are these people holding up signs serious criminals committing terror crimes, who should be locked up for 14 years? 'Or are they ordinary, decent people, exercising their democratic rights and taking a stand against corruption, injustice and genocide? Make up your own mind.'
Leader Live
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Protesters ‘to hold banners in support of banned Palestine Action' over weekend
Last weekend, the Metropolitan Police arrested 29 people who demonstrated in support of the group in London, including Reverend Sue Parfitt, 83. Campaign group Defend Our Juries said more demonstrations will take place in the capital, as well as in Manchester, Cardiff and Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on Saturday. A group will gather in Parliament Square from 1pm, and Defend Our Juries said protesters will hold signs saying: 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.' 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'. The designation as a terror group 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 was announced 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 of damage. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action on June 23, saying 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, majority 359, in favour of proscribing the group, before the House of Lords backed the move without a vote. A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries said: 'Are these people holding up signs serious criminals committing terror crimes, who should be locked up for 14 years? 'Or are they ordinary, decent people, exercising their democratic rights and taking a stand against corruption, injustice and genocide? Make up your own mind.'
