LONDON (AP) – On Saturday, British police arrested 365 individuals in central London as supporters of a recently banned pro-Palestinian group actively defied the law. This demonstration was part of their campaign to compel the government to reconsider the ban imposed on Palestine Action, which took effect following a law passed by Parliament in early July.
The controversial legislation made it illegal to publicly support Palestine Action, marking the group as a criminal organization. This move came after activists vandalized military aircraft at a Royal Air Force base, protesting the UK's backing of Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Their actions included breaking into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and defacing planes with red paint and crowbars.
In the weeks following the ban, supporters of Palestine Action organized numerous protests across the UK, contesting the legality of the new law, which they argued unjustly infringes upon freedom of expression.
Daring Police to Arrest Them
More than 500 protestors gathered outside the Houses of Parliament on Saturday, many displaying signs that read, "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action," defiantly challenging police action. In response, law enforcement stepped in to manage the situation, leading to the significant number of arrests.
As the protest began to conclude, organizers and police clashed over the reported arrests. Defend Our Juries, an organization that facilitated the demonstration, asserted that police only managed to detain a small fraction of those allegedly committing offenses related to the ban. They claimed that many of those arrested were quickly released on street bail, thereby undermining the government's credibility regarding the law.
The Metropolitan Police Service refuted this claim, emphasizing that they were adept in managing the protest and that many individuals present were mere bystanders, media representatives, or those not actively supporting Palestine Action.
Additionally, police highlighted the unique nature of the demonstration, noting that many participants aimed to be arrested, thus challenging law enforcement and the justice system's capacity to handle mass detentions.
Why the Group is Being Banned
The UK government's decision to ban Palestine Action followed the activists' high-profile protest at the air force base. This incident was part of a larger pattern of targeted actions against firms and contractors they believe have ties to Israeli military operations. Supporters are currently challenging the ban in court, arguing that labeling Palestine Action as a terrorist organization is an overreach of governmental authority.
Defend Our Juries articulated their perspective, asserting that if the definition of 'terrorism' encompasses economic damage or embarrassment caused to powerful entities, then it fundamentally erodes the principle of free expression and nullifies democracy itself.
Busy Weekend of Protests
The arrests at Parliament occurred during an anticipated busy weekend of protests across London, fueled by ongoing concerns related to the war in Gaza and immigration issues. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's controversial intent to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state later this year has also sparked discord among various constituents, including many who criticize his government for insufficient action to end hostilities in Gaza.
On the same day, pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London, culminating their efforts outside No. 10 Downing Street. In contrast, subsequent plans for Sunday include marches demanding the safe release of hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza, emphasizing the challenging dynamics surrounding the conflict.
As protests unfold across the UK, police are bracing for additional demonstrations outside hotels housing asylum-seekers, where tensions have escalated between supporters and opponents of immigration policies. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan remarked that the scale of events would significantly strain police resources, characterizing the coming days as a notably challenging period for law enforcement in London.
