Around 300 people were arrested in London on Saturday during a tense protest in support of the Palestine Action group, which has been banned under terror laws.<\/p>\n
Several hundred people demonstrated in front of the UK parliament, with some holding placards that read: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”<\/p>\n
The capital’s Metropolitan Police force (Met) had warned people that it would not hesitate to arrest anyone who explicitly expressed support for the prohibited group.<\/p>\n
“We are not terrorists,” 74-year-old retiree Polly Smith said, adding: “The ban must be lifted.”<\/p>\n
Nigel, a 62-year-old CEO of a recycling company who declined to give his surname, said the government’s ban imposed in July was “totally inappropriate”.<\/p>\n
“They should spend more time working on trying to stop genocide, rather than trying to stop protesters,” he said before being arrested as protesters chanted “Shame on you!” at police.<\/p>\n
Skirmishes broke out between officers and demonstrators who tried to prevent arrests.<\/p>\n
Some of the alleged offences committed included “assault on a police officer”, the Met said on X.<\/p>\n
Palestine Action was banned under the UK’s Terrorism Act of 2000 following acts of vandalism including at a Royal Air Force base, which caused an estimated \u00a37 million (\u20ac8 million) in damage.<\/p>\n
Critics, including the United Nations and campaign groups such as Amnesty International and Greenpeace, have condemned the ban as legal overreach and a threat to free speech.<\/p>\n
More than 800 people had already been arrested before the demonstration, with 138 charged with supporting or encouraging support for a proscribed organization.<\/p>\n
Most face six months in prison if convicted but organisers of the rallies could be sentenced to up to 14 years if found guilty.<\/p>\n
The government has been granted permission to appeal an earlier ruling which allowed Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori to challenge the ban.<\/p>\n