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Powys County Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Total number of Palestine Action support arrests rises to 522
The number of people arrested for supporting banned group Palestine Action at a protest in central London has risen to more than 520. Only 18 of those people remained in custody on Sunday afternoon but were expected to be released on bail 'in the coming hours', the Metropolitan Police said. Hundreds attended the demonstration in Parliament Square on Saturday, organised by Defend Our Juries, with the force warning it would arrest anyone expressing support for Palestine Action. The Met confirmed on Sunday that 522 people were held for displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation, out of 532 total arrests made during the policing operation. One arrest took place at the form up of the Palestine Coalition march in Russell Square, with the remaining 521 arrests at the protest in Parliament Square. Charity Amnesty International previously described the number of arrests under UK terrorism law as 'deeply concerning'. There were a further 10 arrests – six for assaults on officers, two for breaching Public Order Act conditions and one arrest for obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty and a racially aggravated public order offence respectively, the force said. Detained protesters were taken to prisoner processing points in the Westminster area, and those whose details could be confirmed were bailed, with conditions not to attend any further protest in support of Palestine Action, Scotland Yard said on Saturday. Those whose details were refused, or could not be verified, were taken to custody suites across London. Some 320 people were dealt with at prisoner processing points while 212 were transported to custody, with 18 people remaining in the latter as of 1pm on Sunday, the force said. On Saturday the crowd sat silently on the grass inside Parliament Square after writing 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action' on white placards. Police took several hours to individually remove the protesters, some sitting and some lying flat on the grass, from the square into waiting vans. Onlookers applauded the protesters and shouted 'shame on you' at the police making arrests. Scotland Yard said it was aware of photos and footage posted online suggesting that some of those who were bailed had returned to Parliament Square. Arrest update: We have finished compiling the full arrest figures for yesterday's operation. The details can be found at the link below. — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 10, 2025 'We are as confident as we can be that none of those who returned to Parliament Square rejoined the protesters who were holding placards,' the force said. The Met's Counter Terrorism Command will work to secure charges against those arrested 'over the coming days and weeks', the force added. Earlier this week, the first three people to be charged with supporting Palestine Action in England and Wales were named. Jeremy Shippam, 71, Judit Murray, 71, and Fiona Maclean, 53, have all been charged with displaying an article in a public place, arousing reasonable suspicion that they are a supporter of a proscribed organisation after their attendance at a previous demonstration on July 5. A further 26 case files relating to arrests at that same protest are due to be submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service imminently, the Met said. Hundreds of people have been arrested in a wave of Defend Our Juries protests across the UK since the ban against Palestine Action was implemented by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper last month. Membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison under the Terrorism Act 2000. Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori said the Parliament Square demonstration would 'go down in our country's history as a momentous act of collective defiance of an unprecedented attack on our fundamental freedoms'. She also criticised the policing methods used on Saturday, claiming that the fact most of those arrested at the protest were 'given street bail and allowed to go home' proved the current ban was 'unenforceable'. In a statement, Ms Ammori said: 'This is humiliating for the Home Secretary, who will now have to justify this 'two-tier' policing of arresting some people as 'terrorists' for holding a sign, but not others who held the exact same sign. 'It's clear that more and more ordinary people appalled by this anti-democratic, authoritarian ban will defy it en masse and it is simply not possible to arrest them all.' Ms Cooper thanked police in London and across the country on Saturday for their work to ensure peaceful protests, and officers' 'continued dedication in responding to support for a proscribed organisation'. She said: 'The right to protest is one we protect fiercely but this is very different from displaying support for this one specific and narrow, proscribed organisation. 'Palestine Action was proscribed based on strong security advice following serious attacks the group has committed, involving violence, significant injuries and extensive criminal damage.'
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Total number of Palestine Action support arrests rises to 522
Only 18 of those people remained in custody on Sunday afternoon but were expected to be released on bail 'in the coming hours', the Metropolitan Police said. Hundreds attended the demonstration in Parliament Square on Saturday, organised by Defend Our Juries, with the force warning it would arrest anyone expressing support for Palestine Action. The Met confirmed on Sunday that 522 people were held for displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation, out of 532 total arrests made during the policing operation. One arrest took place at the form up of the Palestine Coalition march in Russell Square, with the remaining 521 arrests at the protest in Parliament Square. Charity Amnesty International previously described the number of arrests under UK terrorism law as 'deeply concerning'. There were a further 10 arrests – six for assaults on officers, two for breaching Public Order Act conditions and one arrest for obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty and a racially aggravated public order offence respectively, the force said. Detained protesters were taken to prisoner processing points in the Westminster area, and those whose details could be confirmed were bailed, with conditions not to attend any further protest in support of Palestine Action, Scotland Yard said on Saturday. Those whose details were refused, or could not be verified, were taken to custody suites across London. Some 320 people were dealt with at prisoner processing points while 212 were transported to custody, with 18 people remaining in the latter as of 1pm on Sunday, the force said. On Saturday the crowd sat silently on the grass inside Parliament Square after writing 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action' on white placards. Police took several hours to individually remove the protesters, some sitting and some lying flat on the grass, from the square into waiting vans. Onlookers applauded the protesters and shouted 'shame on you' at the police making arrests. Scotland Yard said it was aware of photos and footage posted online suggesting that some of those who were bailed had returned to Parliament Square. Arrest update: We have finished compiling the full arrest figures for yesterday's operation. The details can be found at the link — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 10, 2025 'We are as confident as we can be that none of those who returned to Parliament Square rejoined the protesters who were holding placards,' the force said. The Met's Counter Terrorism Command will work to secure charges against those arrested 'over the coming days and weeks', the force added. Earlier this week, the first three people to be charged with supporting Palestine Action in England and Wales were named. Jeremy Shippam, 71, Judit Murray, 71, and Fiona Maclean, 53, have all been charged with displaying an article in a public place, arousing reasonable suspicion that they are a supporter of a proscribed organisation after their attendance at a previous demonstration on July 5. A further 26 case files relating to arrests at that same protest are due to be submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service imminently, the Met said. Hundreds of people have been arrested in a wave of Defend Our Juries protests across the UK since the ban against Palestine Action was implemented by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper last month. Membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison under the Terrorism Act 2000. Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori said the Parliament Square demonstration would 'go down in our country's history as a momentous act of collective defiance of an unprecedented attack on our fundamental freedoms'. She also criticised the policing methods used on Saturday, claiming that the fact most of those arrested at the protest were 'given street bail and allowed to go home' proved the current ban was 'unenforceable'. In a statement, Ms Ammori said: 'This is humiliating for the Home Secretary, who will now have to justify this 'two-tier' policing of arresting some people as 'terrorists' for holding a sign, but not others who held the exact same sign. 'It's clear that more and more ordinary people appalled by this anti-democratic, authoritarian ban will defy it en masse and it is simply not possible to arrest them all.' Ms Cooper thanked police in London and across the country on Saturday for their work to ensure peaceful protests, and officers' 'continued dedication in responding to support for a proscribed organisation'. She said: 'The right to protest is one we protect fiercely but this is very different from displaying support for this one specific and narrow, proscribed organisation. 'Palestine Action was proscribed based on strong security advice following serious attacks the group has committed, involving violence, significant injuries and extensive criminal damage.'
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Total number of Palestine Action support arrests rises to 522
Only 18 of those people remained in custody on Sunday afternoon but were expected to be released on bail 'in the coming hours', the Metropolitan Police said. Hundreds attended the demonstration in Parliament Square on Saturday, organised by Defend Our Juries, with the force warning it would arrest anyone expressing support for Palestine Action. The Met confirmed on Sunday that 522 people were held for displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation, out of 532 total arrests made during the policing operation. One arrest took place at the form up of the Palestine Coalition march in Russell Square, with the remaining 521 arrests at the protest in Parliament Square. Charity Amnesty International previously described the number of arrests under UK terrorism law as 'deeply concerning'. There were a further 10 arrests – six for assaults on officers, two for breaching Public Order Act conditions and one arrest for obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty and a racially aggravated public order offence respectively, the force said. Detained protesters were taken to prisoner processing points in the Westminster area, and those whose details could be confirmed were bailed, with conditions not to attend any further protest in support of Palestine Action, Scotland Yard said on Saturday. Those whose details were refused, or could not be verified, were taken to custody suites across London. Some 320 people were dealt with at prisoner processing points while 212 were transported to custody, with 18 people remaining in the latter as of 1pm on Sunday, the force said. On Saturday the crowd sat silently on the grass inside Parliament Square after writing 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action' on white placards. Police took several hours to individually remove the protesters, some sitting and some lying flat on the grass, from the square into waiting vans. Onlookers applauded the protesters and shouted 'shame on you' at the police making arrests. Scotland Yard said it was aware of photos and footage posted online suggesting that some of those who were bailed had returned to Parliament Square. Arrest update: We have finished compiling the full arrest figures for yesterday's operation. The details can be found at the link — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 10, 2025 'We are as confident as we can be that none of those who returned to Parliament Square rejoined the protesters who were holding placards,' the force said. The Met's Counter Terrorism Command will work to secure charges against those arrested 'over the coming days and weeks', the force added. Earlier this week, the first three people to be charged with supporting Palestine Action in England and Wales were named. Jeremy Shippam, 71, Judit Murray, 71, and Fiona Maclean, 53, have all been charged with displaying an article in a public place, arousing reasonable suspicion that they are a supporter of a proscribed organisation after their attendance at a previous demonstration on July 5. A further 26 case files relating to arrests at that same protest are due to be submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service imminently, the Met said. Hundreds of people have been arrested in a wave of Defend Our Juries protests across the UK since the ban against Palestine Action was implemented by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper last month. Membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison under the Terrorism Act 2000. Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori said the Parliament Square demonstration would 'go down in our country's history as a momentous act of collective defiance of an unprecedented attack on our fundamental freedoms'. She also criticised the policing methods used on Saturday, claiming that the fact most of those arrested at the protest were 'given street bail and allowed to go home' proved the current ban was 'unenforceable'. In a statement, Ms Ammori said: 'This is humiliating for the Home Secretary, who will now have to justify this 'two-tier' policing of arresting some people as 'terrorists' for holding a sign, but not others who held the exact same sign. 'It's clear that more and more ordinary people appalled by this anti-democratic, authoritarian ban will defy it en masse and it is simply not possible to arrest them all.' Ms Cooper thanked police in London and across the country on Saturday for their work to ensure peaceful protests, and officers' 'continued dedication in responding to support for a proscribed organisation'. She said: 'The right to protest is one we protect fiercely but this is very different from displaying support for this one specific and narrow, proscribed organisation. 'Palestine Action was proscribed based on strong security advice following serious attacks the group has committed, involving violence, significant injuries and extensive criminal damage.'
The Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Police begin making arrests after banned Palestine Action group gathers in central London
POLICE IN LONDON have begun arresting protesters sat in the middle of Parliament Square. The officers lifted the protesters – some sitting and some lying flat – off the ground before escorting them away. More than 50 people have been arrested so far this afternoon. Onlookers applauded the protesters and shouted 'shame on you' at the police making arrests. Supporters, media and police gather around a protester lying on the ground Alamy Alamy Palestine Action, which organised the demonstration, has been banned in the UK and labelled a proscribed group. The ban means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000. In a post to X , the Metropolitan Police this afternoon said: 'Within this crowd a significant number of people are displaying placards expressing support for Palestine Action, which is a proscribed group. 'Officers have moved in and are making arrests.' Palestine Action supporters in Parliament Square, Westminster, central London Alamy Alamy It comes days after the first three people to be charged with supporting the group in England and Wales were named. Advertisement Jeremy Shippam, 71, Judit Murray, also 71, and Fiona Maclean, 53, have all been charged with displaying an article in a public place, arousing reasonable suspicion that they are a supporter of a proscribed organisation after their attendance at a previous demonstration last month. More than 200 people have been arrested in the wave of Defend Our Juries protests across the UK since the ban was implemented by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper last month. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: 'The Met is very experienced at dealing with large-scale protests, including where the protest activity crosses into criminality, requiring arrests. 'While we will not go into the specific details of our plan, the public can be assured that we will have the resources and processes in place to respond to any eventuality. 'Anyone showing support for Palestine Action can expect to be arrested. I would once again urge people to consider the seriousness of that outcome. 'An arrest under the Terrorism Act can have very real long-term implications – from travel, to employment, to finances. Also, as we have seen this week, it is very likely an arrest in these circumstances will lead to a charge.' A UK Home Office spokesperson said it protects the right to protest, but that the activities of Palestine Action 'do not reflect or represent' the thousands of others who exercise that right. 'The decision to proscribe was based on strong security advice and the unanimous recommendation by the expert cross-government proscription review group. This followed serious attacks the group has committed, involving violence, significant injuries and extensive criminal damage,' they said. At a separate march today that started at Russell Square, one person has been arrested so far. The arrest was 'for a placard showing support for Palestine Action', police said. With reporting by the Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Hundreds of people face arrest at Palestine Action march on Saturday
More than 500 people are expected to attend the march in Parliament Square to protest against the government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terror group Hundreds of people are expected to risk arrest as they descend on London to show support for Palestine Action in defiance of its ban as a terror group. The Metropolitan Police said it has drawn officers in from other forces to help form a "significant policing presence" in the capital as it faces a busy weekend of protests. More than 500 people are expected to hold up placards supporting the proscribed group in Parliament Square, after organisers Defend Our Juries announced earlier this week the event would go ahead. The ban means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000. It comes days after the first three people to be charged with supporting the group in England and Wales were named. Jeremy Shippam, 71, Judit Murray, also 71, and Fiona Maclean, 53, have all been charged with displaying an article in a public place, arousing reasonable suspicion that they are a supporter of a proscribed organisation after their attendance at a previous demonstration last month. More than 200 people have been arrested in the wave of Defend Our Juries protests across the UK since the ban was implemented by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper last month. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: "The Met is very experienced at dealing with large-scale protests, including where the protest activity crosses into criminality, requiring arrests. While we will not go into the specific details of our plan, the public can be assured that we will have the resources and processes in place to respond to any eventuality. "Anyone showing support for Palestine Action can expect to be arrested. I would once again urge people to consider the seriousness of that outcome. An arrest under the Terrorism Act can have very real long-term implications - from travel, to employment, to finances. Also, as we have seen this week, it is very likely an arrest in these circumstances will lead to a charge." A Home Office spokesperson said: "The Home Secretary has been clear that the proscription of Palestine Action is not about Palestine, nor does it affect the freedom to protest on Palestinian rights. It only applies to the specific and narrow organisation whose activities do not reflect or represent the thousands of people across the country who continue to exercise their fundamental rights to protest on different issues. "Freedom to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy and we protect it fiercely. The decision to proscribe was based on strong security advice and the unanimous recommendation by the expert cross-government proscription review group. This followed serious attacks the group has committed, involving violence, significant injuries and extensive criminal damage. "It also followed an assessment from the joint terrorism assessment centre that Palestine Action prepares for terrorism, as well as worrying information referencing plans and ideas for further attacks, the details of which cannot yet be publicly reported due to ongoing legal proceedings." Two marches organised by the Palestine Coalition and pro-Israeli group Stop the Hate, respectively, will also be held on consecutive days in central London. The coalition's supporters will march from Russell Square to Whitehall followed by an assembly with speeches. Public order conditions have been imposed on the march which means it must not form or begin before noon, protesters must not deviate from or stop to form assemblies along the agreed route and the protest must end by 5.30pm, the Met said. Other major events in London this weekend include the Community Shield match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Wembley, which will require sizeable police resources. "This is going to be a particularly busy few days in London with many simultaneous protests and events that will require a significant policing presence," Mr Adelekan said. "I'm grateful not just to the Met officers who will be working incredibly hard over the coming days but to those colleagues from other forces who have been deployed to London to support us."
