Pro-Palestine demonstrators 'plan to flout terror laws en-masse' to overwhelm the police during mass protest next weekend
Protesters have been urged to turn up in towns and cities, including London, next Saturday and write on blank placards with marker pens their support for banned terror group Palestine Action.
The ban on Palestine Action means membership of or support for the direct action group is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Due to the ban, inviting or expressing support for the organisation - through chanting, clothing or displaying articles like flags, signs or logos - is a criminal offence.
A briefing document handed out to supporters, seen by The Telegraph, boasts that 'it would be practically and politically difficult for the state to respond to an action on this scale'.
'Our assessment is that an action on this scale could be enough for the ban to be lifted.
'Charging and prosecuting at least 500 more people, in addition to the 200 people already arrested, is likely to be beyond the capacity of the state, given the current situation in the criminal justice system.'
The plan is the brainchild of a number of groups, including Cage International and Defend Our Juries.
Former Guantanamo Bay detainee, Moazzam Begg, has urged the Muslim community in Birmingham to join in 'the resistance'.
He told a Cage International meeting attended by 30 to 40 people, some wearing Palestinian keffiyeh scarves and flags, to 'stop being cowards, cowards never win battles'.
Meanwhile, Angie Zelter, from Defend Our Juries, urged supporters during the meeting to 'face down the rising tide of fascism in Britain'.
Last Saturday, police failed to arrest supporters of the banned group Palestine Action as 11 activists sat holding signs for 60 minutes without being detained.
Protests were held in both Totnes and Edinburgh as part of a campaign opposing the proscription of the direct action organisation where demonstrators held signs saying 'I Oppose Genocide. I Support Palestine Action'.
At least 500 radical activists are preparing to sit in London for 60 minutes or 'until arrest' on August 9th while holding signs which state: 'I oppose Genocide. I support Palestine Action'.
Palestine Action was proscribed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper after its members caused an estimated seven million pounds worth of damage to RAF Brize Norton planes on June 20.
Ms Cooper also claimed '[the group's] activity has increased in frequency and severity since the start of 2024 and its methods have become more aggressive, with its members demonstrating a willingness to use violence'.
The 15-page document, titled 'Lift the ban, De-proscribe Palestine Action' details the group's extensive plot to overwhelm the police and the justice system until - it claims - the Government is forced to U- turn and reverse the ban.
Their protest would be the largest escalation in a series of similar protests that have taken place across the UK since the ban.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick last week told the Daily Mail: 'The Government simply cannot allow a proscribed group to overwhelm our justice system.
'Anyone assisting the group must face immediate justice.
'There can be no doubt in people's minds: if they support a terrorist group, they will be punished.'
Lord Walney, the former government extremism adviser, added: 'People shouldn't be duped - this stunt will do nothing to help Palestine but it will land you with a criminal record that could ruin your life.
'The police are doing their job but now need to act quickly to show there are serious consequences for supporting a proscribed group.'
Under the heading 'The Action', the document explains: '[The protest on August 9] will be a conditional commitment action, which means it will only go ahead if 500 people have committed to taking action on the same day.
It continues: 'The intention is for a mass action on a scale that makes it almost impossible for the police to intervene.
A supporter of Palestine Action gives a 'V' sign as they are arrested and put in a police van after holding up a sign supporting a proscribed group on July 19, 2025 in London
'Although there's a substantial risk of arrest, and all taking part should be prepared for that, the indications from the past three Saturdays are that the stakes for action-takers are relatively low, in comparison to the worst-case scenarios.
'No-one has yet been charged with an offence, and no-one has been remanded.'
The document also advises supporters what to do 'in case of arrest' and how to respond to house raids from police.
It also links to a pre-prepared statement which activists are encouraged to read during police interviews and information about 'Preparing For Prison' which includes advice about ordering vegan meals and how to receive books behind bars.
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