Police made dozens of arrests across the country on Saturday as coordinated demonstrations challenged the Government’s ban on Palestine Action and accused ministers of complicity in
violence in Gaza.
In Birmingham, 25 people were detained under the Terrorism Act after officers said a number of protesters displayed placards supporting Palestine Action. The demonstration, organised by Defend Our Juries, drew crowds to Chamberlain Square as part of a nationwide afternoon of protests.
Further arrests were reported in Bristol, where 30 people were taken into custody on suspicion of terror offences, and in Norwich, where officers detained 10 individuals allegedly displaying pro-Palestine Action signs. Those held in Norwich were taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.
Defend Our Juries said it had staged protests in 10 towns and cities and described the day as the “most widespread wave of civil disobedience in modern UK history”. The group claimed 636 arrests had been made over its 12-day campaign and said police responses varied sharply, with no arrests reported at events in Edinburgh, Exeter, Belfast, Derry or Totnes.
A video posted by the group showed an officer in Exeter telling protesters that holding signs supporting Palestine Action could constitute an offence under the Terrorism Act, though no arrests followed.
West Midlands Police said they would continue to “take appropriate action” where individuals were suspected of showing support for proscribed organisations. Norfolk Police also defended their approach, saying officers had acted to prevent disorder and disruption.
Meanwhile in London, an estimated 100,000 people joined a separate march organised by the Palestine Coalition. The Metropolitan Police said one person was arrested for affray, while four others were detained on suspicion of Public Order Act offences.
Demonstrators carrying Palestinian flags moved from Green Park to Whitehall, chanting slogans and setting off red and green fireworks. Among the speakers was Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who told crowds that political leaders had failed to confront the reality of ongoing violence in Gaza.
Poplar and Limehouse MP Apsana Begum said protests would continue until there was a “free and independent Palestine”. Photo by West Midlands Police from West Midlands, United Kingdom, Wikimedia commons.