Second Week of Arrests at Palestine Action Protests Sparks Terrorism Act Debate
A wave of arrests continues in central London as demonstrations linked to Palestine Action enter their second week, raising concerns about the government’s recent decision to ban the group under the Terrorism Act. The escalating response from authorities has ignited a fierce debate over the boundaries of protest and the potential for overreach in national security measures.
The latest demonstrations, which began on Saturday shortly after 1 p.m., saw two small groups of protesters gather in Parliament Square, staging a sit-in at the base of statues honoring Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. Organised by the campaign group Defend Our Juries, the action is part of a series of planned protests extending beyond London to include cities such as Manchester, Cardiff, and Derry.
The Metropolitan Police responded swiftly, issuing a statement on X (formerly Twitter) at 1:20 p.m. confirming their response to a protest in support of Palestine Action and announcing that arrests were underway. A subsequent post from Defend Our Juries alleged a disproportionate response, claiming “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’.”
Demonstrations and Police Response
Officers established a cordon around the demonstrators, who silently displayed handmade signs bearing messages of support for Palestine Action. Reports indicate that police conducted searches of protesters’ belongings and requested identification. Witnesses described scenes of demonstrators physically linking together while officers secured their signs. The arrested individuals were then transported from the square in police vans.
This follows a similar event last week, where 29 individuals were arrested near the Gandhi statue for allegedly expressing support for the same group. Among those arrested was an 83-year-old former priest, the Rev. Sue Parfitt, highlighting the broad scope of the police action.
Government Ban and Condemnation
The arrests come after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to ban Palestine Action late last month, following allegations that activists from the group broke into RAF Brize Norton and vandalized military aircraft with spray paint. The ban received parliamentary approval last Wednesday, with the House of Lords subsequently backing the move without a vote the following day.
However, the decision to proscribe Palestine Action has faced widespread condemnation from UN experts, civil liberties groups, cultural figures, and hundreds of lawyers. Critics argue that the ban is “draconian” and establishes a dangerous precedent by equating legitimate protest with terrorism.
The move marks the first time a direct action protest group has been banned under the Terrorism Act, placing Palestine Action in the same legal category as organizations like Islamic State, al-Qaida, and the far-right group National Action. This unprecedented classification has fueled concerns about the erosion of fundamental rights and the potential chilling effect on future protests.
.
The ongoing situation underscores the complex challenges of balancing national security with the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The coming weeks will likely see further legal challenges and public debate surrounding the government’s decision and its implications for the future of protest in the United Kingdom.
