Palestine Action Protests: 96 Arrests in UK Ban
Palestine Action protests Erupt Across UK Following Group’s Ban
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London, UK – Protests supporting Palestine Action, a group recently proscribed by the UK government, took place across several major cities this past Saturday, leading to a number of arrests. The demonstrations highlight ongoing tensions surrounding the conflict in Gaza and the government’s decision to ban the activist organisation.
Arrests in Manchester and London Amidst Demonstrations
Greater Manchester police reported arresting 16 individuals on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation. These individuals remain in custody for questioning.
In London, a separate march organised by the Palestine Coalition saw 10 arrests, with eight of those suspected of supporting Palestine Action. The Metropolitan Police confirmed these arrests were made during the demonstration.
Edinburgh Protests Disperse Before Police Arrival
Police Scotland attended Parliament Square in Edinburgh after being alerted to images online showing people holding placards in support of Palestine Action. However, by the time officers arrived, the protesters had dispersed, and no arrests were made. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing. The force also noted that no arrests were made at a separate pro-Palestinian protest held in the city on the same day.
legal Challenge Looms for Palestine Action
The protests come just ahead of a crucial High Court hearing scheduled for Monday.Huda Ammori, a co-founder of Palestine Action, is seeking permission to challenge the government’s decision to ban the group.
Last Saturday, a similar wave of protests against the ban resulted in 71 arrests across the UK.
Background to the proscription
Palestine Action has been actively targeting arms companies since the commencement of the current conflict in Gaza. The group’s proscription followed an incident in June where activists gained access to RAF Brize Norton, spraying two Voyager aircraft with red paint and causing an estimated £7 million in damages. Palestine Action claimed responsibility for this act at the time.
Following the RAF Brize Norton incident, four individuals were remanded in custody.They have been charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK. The breach also triggered a security review across all UK military bases.