British pro-Palestine protester launches legal action against police
Laura Murton, 42, had held up a Palestinian flag and signs saying 'Free Gaza' and 'Israel is committing genocide' at her demonstration in the city of Canterbury last month.
Armed police who responded to the protest told Murton that she had expressed support for Palestine Action, the group banned in July and listed as a terrorist organization.
Neither of Murton's signs mentioned Palestine Action, she told officers, who asked if she supported any proscribed organizations. 'I do not,' she responded.
Murton's solicitors have issued a letter of claim to Kent police's chief constable, in what is viewed as a reminder of police responsibilities ahead of major pro-Palestine protests this weekend across the UK.
Murton is seeking damages over the incident and will donate any compensation toward Palestinian causes.
She is also requesting an apology and an overview of details that police officers recorded about the incident.
Shamik Dutta of law firm Bhatt Murphy, which is representing Murton, said: 'The legal challenge is being brought because as matters stand our client has neither received any apology nor any acknowledgment that Kent police conduct has been unlawful.
'She has had no indication that no further action will be taken against her in relation to her protest on July 14 or that no further action will be taken against her if she wishes to engage in a materially similar protest in the future.'
Murton filmed her encounter. One officer told her: 'Mentioning freedom of Gaza, Israel, genocide, all of that all come under proscribed groups, which are terror groups that have been dictated by the government.' He then claimed that the phrase 'free Gaza' indicated support for Palestine Action.
Murton reluctantly provided her name and address to the officers, who had threatened her with arrest unless she did so.
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