Dozens arrested around the UK at protests to support proscribed group Palestine Action
LONDON (AP) — British police arrested dozens of people for supporting a banned Palestinian rights organization on Saturday as protests over the government's decision to outlaw the group continued for a third weekend.
Waving placards reading 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action,' demonstrators gathered in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Londonderry and Truro.
The government moved to ban Palestine Action after activists broke into a Royal Air Force base at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on June 20 to protest British military support for Israel's war with Hamas. The activists sprayed red paint into the jet engines of two huge tanker planes and caused further damage with crowbars.
Parliament passed legislation earlier this month designating Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, meaning membership in the group or support for its actions are now punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Police announced an increased presence in central London ahead of the protests, saying they would protect the right to peaceful protest but would act swiftly if demonstrators violated the law.
'Those who see this as an opportunity to test the limits of the law by expressing support for Palestine Action, whether at a standalone protest or as part of the Palestine Coalition protest, will likely be committing an offense and will very likely be arrested,' Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said in a statement released Thursday.
Supporters of Palestine Action are challenging the ban, with the High Court in London scheduled to consider the case on Monday, according to the campaign group Defend Our Juries, which organized Saturday's protests.
Almost 100 protesters were arrested around the country on Saturday, including 55 in London, Defend Our Juries said in a statement.
In London, police officers surrounded demonstrators who had gathered at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi that stands in a park across the street from the Houses of Parliament. Officers confiscated placards and searched the bags of those arrested.
Video posted online showed police carrying an elderly man away from the demonstration in the Cornish city of Truro as he shouted, 'I oppose genocide.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Three arrested at latest protest outside Essex hotel used to house migrants
Three people have been arrested at a protest and counter-protest outside an Essex hotel being used to house migrants. Sunday saw the latest in a series of demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Protesters waved union flags, while Stand Up To Racism counter-protesters marched to the hotel with signs reading: 'Stop scapegoating refugees and migrants'. A 52-year-old man from Loughton was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence - it is understood the arrest was in connection with abuse being shouted towards counter-protesters. A 53-year-old woman, also from Loughton, was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence connected with a previous protest, and it is understood she was part of the protest against the use of the hotel. A 27-year-old woman from Deptford was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and a public order offence, and it is understood she was part of the counter-protest. Read more Watch: Police release footage of Epping protest after online 'misinformation' 'Migrant hotel': Epping council unanimously urge Government to close hotel Fresh dispersal order in place for Epping after 'migrant hotel' protests Four charged with violent disorder after 'migrant hotel' protest in Epping Essex Police Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'I want to thank those who attended for the peaceful nature of both protests. 'Our role is to ensure that you can express your democratic right to protest safely and lawfully and we had a proportionate and robust plan in place to ensure that could happen. 'I am pleased that today has passed off without incident and I am grateful to our colleagues from other forces for their support.' Essex Police said it had established protest restrictions due to repeated serious disruption, violence, and harm to the community during previous demonstrations. A dispersal order was in effect from 12pm on Sunday until 8am on Monday, covering Epping town centre and nearby transport hubs. Both sets of protesters were kept separated by fences. Essex Police said that residents have reported feeling 'trapped', fearful of leaving their homes and anxious about protest activity previously. Hotel residents and staff have been advised to remain indoors after 5pm as some have experienced verbal and physical harassment, including a resident chased and injured while returning to the hotel, the force added. The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, with sexual assault after he allegedly attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl. He denied the charge at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court and will stand trial in August.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Trump and Starmer to Meet in Scotland to Discuss Trade and Gaza
President Trump will host Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain at his two golf courses in Scotland on Monday, the day after announcing a deal with the European Union designed to avoid a costly economic war with America's biggest trading bloc. Mr. Trump announced on Sunday that Europe had agreed to tariffs of 15 percent on automobiles and most other E.U. goods, after meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the E.U.'s executive branch. The tariffs are higher than the 10 percent duty on most British goods that Britain, which is not in the European Union, agreed to in a deal that Mr. Starmer and Mr. Trump struck in May. The 27-nation bloc also agreed to buy $750 billion worth of U.S. energy and invest $600 billion in the United States, Mr. Trump said. Trade is among the topics that Mr. Trump and Mr. Starmer are expected to discuss when they meet first at Mr. Trump's Turnberry golf club on the west coast of Scotland and then travel to the other side of the country for dinner at the president's other club, in Aberdeen. The two leaders are expected to resume efforts to resolve a dispute about U.S. tariffs on British steel and aluminum, which remain at 25 percent. In June, Britain and the United States signed an agreement to resolve other trade issues, with both sides saying the deal would benefit both countries. British officials said they expect the all-day agenda to also include the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the grinding war in Ukraine. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Man left seriously injured after being stabbed in Piccadilly Gardens with four police tents in place
Two men have been arrested after a man was stabbed during a 'fight' in Piccadilly Gardens. A large police cordon with four tents inside remains in place in the city centre square this morning. Police said they were first called to reports of a fight in the gardens at 9pm last night (Sunday, July 28). READ MORE: LIVE: Major fight breaks out in Piccadilly Gardens as man is rushed to hospital with serious injuries - latest updates READ MORE: 'She's in the middle of the road, there's blood everywhere': Disturbing 999 call recording released after gran mowed down by e-bike A man was found with serious injuries, they said. Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here The Manchester Evening News understands he had been stabbed. He was taken to hospital where he remains this morning. Two men have been arrested. A 19-year-old is being questioned on suspicion of assault with a 23-year-old man also in custody after being held on suspicion of affray. A huge cordon stretching round a large swathe of the gardens remains in place this morning. It begins near the MCR Live hub, a pop-up bar for the Oasis concerts that had the Lionesses football game on last night. The main walkway through the centre of the gardens is also taped off with the cordon stretching around to the Market Street side of the square. There are four forensic tents which have been erected inside, two close to the tram tracks and two in the street food village. Officers are currently standing guard. Trams and buses are still running past the scene. A GMP spokesperson said: "Officers were called to reports of a fight in Piccadilly Gardens at around 9pm last night (Sunday 27 July 2025). "A 23-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries. "Two men were arrested - a 19-year-old on suspicion of assault and a 23-year-old on suspicion of affray. "They are both in custody. "A scene is still in place this morning whilst officers conduct their enquiries."
