UK Police Intervene in Pro-Palestine Demonstration, Multiple Arrests Made
Police in the UK intervened in a demonstration supporting the banned group "Palestine Action," leading to multiple arrests. The protest, held in London’s Parliament Square, aimed to show solidarity with the group, which was recently declared a terrorist organization.
Kokcha News Agency: In the UK, police intervened in a demonstration supporting the banned group “Palestine Action,” resulting in multiple arrests. The protest, organized by the group “Defend Our Juries,” took place in London’s Parliament Square and began at 1:00 PM local time. Protesters brought blank banners and markers, writing slogans such as “I stand against genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
The London Metropolitan Police reminded the public that “Palestine Action” is a banned organization and proceeded to detain several participants. The police had previously warned on August 5 that mass arrests could occur during any demonstrations supporting the group.
“Palestine Action,” founded in 2020, gained prominence in the UK after Israel’s military operations in Gaza began on October 7, 2023. The group is known for its actions against companies doing business with Israel, including disrupting production at factories and facilities. Last year, the group targeted Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense company, in Bristol, disrupting drone production. Another action at a Thales factory in Glasgow, which produces submarine parts, reportedly caused £1 million in damages, according to the UK government.
The first step toward declaring “Palestine Action” a terrorist organization came after an incident on June 20, when group members entered the Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, and sprayed red paint on two military aircraft engines. The activists left a Palestinian flag at the scene, claiming the planes were used in Middle East operations.
Following this incident, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper introduced a bill to Parliament to designate “Palestine Action” as a terrorist organization, alongside two far-right, racist groups. The bill was approved by the House of Commons on July 2 and the House of Lords on July 3. “Palestine Action” appealed to the High Court to halt the ban, but the court rejected the appeal on July 4.
The ban came into effect on July 5, making membership or support for the group punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Wearing clothing or accessories bearing the group’s name, such as T-shirts or badges, could result in up to six months in prison. Since the ban took effect, hundreds of individuals supporting the group have been arrested.
