Police arrest 70 protesters supporting Palestine Action in London

In the UK, mass arrests took place during a series of protests in London that supported Palestine Action, a group recently classified as a terror organization by the Home Secretary. The protests occurred over the course of three consecutive weekends. On a Saturday, demonstrators were seen at Parliament Square holding placards with messages like "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action". The police surrounded the demonstrators and began taking individuals into custody. This was not an isolated incident; over the two preceding weekends, the police had detained 70 people at similar events, leading to a total of approximately 120 arrests across the nation, as confirmed by the organizers Defend Our Juries. The police presence was significantly heightened, especially around the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament Square, where one of the demonstrations took place. Law enforcement had been alerted to the gatherings due to previous incidents involving chants like "death to the IDF", which had drawn considerable backlash. Such chanting had previously prompted a police investigation, emphasizing the tense atmosphere surrounding these protests. Authorities, led by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, cautioned protesters about the legal repercussions of supporting a banned group under the Terrorism Act 2000, which imposes severe penalties for such actions. A range of counter-protests also unfolded in response, with some individuals brandishing signs conveying opposing views, such as “there is no genocide but there are 50 hostages still captive.” The police aimed to maintain order during these heated exchanges, intervening where necessary to prevent any behavior that could escalate into criminality. As the weekend approached, further protests were anticipated in other cities, including Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol, indicating the broader national implications of these events. The High Court was scheduled to hear a case brought by Huda Ammori, a co-founder of Palestine Action, seeking to challenge the Home Secretary's decision to label the group as a terrorist organization. The implications of this designation are profound, potentially criminalizing support or membership in the organization and punishing such involvement with up to 14 years in prison. The situation remains fluid, drawing increased attention and participation as more planned demonstrations emerge in various parts of the UK.