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Ninety-six arrests at Palestine Action ban protests across UK | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Police made more than 50 arrests in Parliament Square in central London | Police made more than 50 arrests in Parliament Square in central London |
Nearly 100 people have been arrested at protests across the UK against the decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terror group. | Nearly 100 people have been arrested at protests across the UK against the decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terror group. |
Demonstrations in support of the pro-Palestine activist group took place in London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol and Truro on Saturday. | Demonstrations in support of the pro-Palestine activist group took place in London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol and Truro on Saturday. |
The Met Police said 55 people were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences for displaying placards in support of Palestine Action, at the largest of the demonstrations in Westminster. | The Met Police said 55 people were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences for displaying placards in support of Palestine Action, at the largest of the demonstrations in Westminster. |
The government proscribed the group earlier this month under the Terrorism Act of 2000, making membership of or support for the group a criminal offence, following a break-in at an RAF base. | The government proscribed the group earlier this month under the Terrorism Act of 2000, making membership of or support for the group a criminal offence, following a break-in at an RAF base. |
Across the country, protesters held placards with the words: "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action." | Across the country, protesters held placards with the words: "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action." |
In London, arrests were made near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament Square, where as many as 20 police vans attended. | In London, arrests were made near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament Square, where as many as 20 police vans attended. |
Officers moved in swiftly to arrest those holding the placards, many of whom appeared to be over the age of 60. | Officers moved in swiftly to arrest those holding the placards, many of whom appeared to be over the age of 60. |
One woman claimed to be in her 80s and was walking with a stick. Some were led away while others had to be carried. | One woman claimed to be in her 80s and was walking with a stick. Some were led away while others had to be carried. |
Avon and Somerset Police said 17 people were arrested under the Terrorism Act after a demonstration on College Green in Bristol. | Avon and Somerset Police said 17 people were arrested under the Terrorism Act after a demonstration on College Green in Bristol. |
It said a further three people would be invited to attend a voluntary interview at a future date. | It said a further three people would be invited to attend a voluntary interview at a future date. |
Devon and Cornwall Police said two men and six women were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after protesters gathered near Truro Cathedral. | Devon and Cornwall Police said two men and six women were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after protesters gathered near Truro Cathedral. |
The force said around 30 people were involved in the peaceful demonstration, organised by campaign group Defend Our Juries. | The force said around 30 people were involved in the peaceful demonstration, organised by campaign group Defend Our Juries. |
Earlier, the campaign group said that one of those arrested near the cathedral was an 81-year-old former magistrate. | Earlier, the campaign group said that one of those arrested near the cathedral was an 81-year-old former magistrate. |
Some demonstrators in London were led away while others had to be carried by officers | Some demonstrators in London were led away while others had to be carried by officers |
Greater Manchester Police said it arrested 16 people on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation, and that they remained in custody for questioning. | Greater Manchester Police said it arrested 16 people on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation, and that they remained in custody for questioning. |
Police Scotland said officers in Edinburgh attended after the force was made aware of images online showing people holding placards in support of Palestine Action in Edinburgh's Parliament Square area. | Police Scotland said officers in Edinburgh attended after the force was made aware of images online showing people holding placards in support of Palestine Action in Edinburgh's Parliament Square area. |
However, a spokesperson said no arrests were made as the protesters had gone by the time officers arrived. Enquiries are ongoing. | However, a spokesperson said no arrests were made as the protesters had gone by the time officers arrived. Enquiries are ongoing. |
There were also no arrests at a separate pro-Palestinian protest in the city, the force added. | There were also no arrests at a separate pro-Palestinian protest in the city, the force added. |
Separately, a march organised by the Palestine Coalition took place in London on Saturday. | Separately, a march organised by the Palestine Coalition took place in London on Saturday. |
The Met said 10 people had been arrested so far at that demonstration, including eight suspected of supporting Palestine Action. | The Met said 10 people had been arrested so far at that demonstration, including eight suspected of supporting Palestine Action. |
Saturday's protests came ahead of a High Court hearing on Monday at which the co-founder of Palestine Action, Huda Ammori, will ask for permission to challenge the decision to ban the group. | Saturday's protests came ahead of a High Court hearing on Monday at which the co-founder of Palestine Action, Huda Ammori, will ask for permission to challenge the decision to ban the group. |
Last Saturday, 71 arrests were made across the UK at similar protests against the decision. | Last Saturday, 71 arrests were made across the UK at similar protests against the decision. |
Palestine Action has engaged in activities that have predominantly targeted arms companies since the start of the current war in Gaza. | Palestine Action has engaged in activities that have predominantly targeted arms companies since the start of the current war in Gaza. |
MPs voted to proscribe the group after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in June, spraying two Voyager aircraft with red paint and causing £7m worth of damage. Palestine Action took responsibility for the incident at the time. | MPs voted to proscribe the group after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in June, spraying two Voyager aircraft with red paint and causing £7m worth of damage. Palestine Action took responsibility for the incident at the time. |
Four people have since been remanded in custody, charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK. | Four people have since been remanded in custody, charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK. |
The incident also prompted a security review across all UK military bases. | The incident also prompted a security review across all UK military bases. |