London Police Arrest 150 Amid Protests against Palestine Action Ban

The Metropolitan Police in London reported over 150 arrests during protests against a new law prohibiting support for the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action. The demonstrators argue that the legislation infringes upon their freedom of expression. According to a police statement on social media platform X, officers are methodically moving through crowds to make additional arrests. Pro-Palestine demonstrations have surged across the UK since Parliament outlawed Palestine Action in early July following an incident where activists vandalized military aircraft at a Royal Air Force base. The group was classified as a terrorist organization after provocations at the RAF Brize Norton base, where activists inflicted damage using red paint and crowbars. A gathering outside Parliament featured numerous signs proclaiming support for Palestine Action, an act prompting police intervention. The police noted the presence of many demonstrators brandishing placards sympathetic to the banned group, leading to an increased police presence in the area. The initiative to classify Palestine Action as a terrorist organization was led by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, following protests against British military backing for Israel amidst its ongoing conflict with Hamas. Supporters of Palestine Action are contesting this classification in court, with advocates claiming that the government has overstepped its bounds. As stated by the group Defend Our Juries, "Once the meaning of terrorism is separated from campaigns of violence against a civilian population and extended to include those causing economic damage or embarrassment to the rich, the powerful and the criminal, then the right to freedom of expression has no meaning and democracy is dead." The protests coincided with a tumultuous weekend in London, driven by ongoing issues related to the war in Gaza and immigration, spurring a series of demonstrations and counterprotests throughout the UK. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's intentions to recognize a Palestinian state later this year have angered Israeli officials, while many pro-Palestinian activists criticize the government for insufficient efforts to halt the Gaza conflict. Additional marches are scheduled to take place, including one to advocate for the safe release of Israeli hostages currently held in Gaza since the attack by militants on October 7, 2023. Concurrently, police are bracing for demonstrations outside hotels housing asylum seekers, where tensions have flared between pro-immigrant advocacy groups and anti-immigrant protesters. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan acknowledged the strain on police resources due to the scale of the upcoming events, stating, "This is going to be a particularly busy few days in London with many simultaneous protests and events that will require a significant policing presence." Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2